34th Anniversary of the Central Park Zoo August 7, 2022
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: 34th anniversary, animals, baby animals, Central Park Zoo, Grizzly bears Betty and Veronica, Gus the polar bear, nature, NYC, photography, Snow Leopard cubs, Snow Monkey, wildlife, zoo babies, Zoos
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Tomorrow is the 34th anniversary of the Central Park Zoo. I am happy to say I have been associated with the zoo for the past 32 of those 34 years (that is probably how I know most of you). Thought I would share some photos of our wonderful animals both past and present. See how many you recognize. The zoo began in the 1860s as a menagerie. The zoo or menagerie (as it was called) started inside and around the Arsenal (built in 1848 – which now houses our WCS administrative offices and the NYC Parks Dept). The zoo was modified in 1934 as part of the WPA with the addition of many new buildings arranged in a quadrangle around the sea lion pool. In a contract with NYC, the zoo was completely renovated in the mid-1980s and with much fanfare, reopened on August 8th, 1988, replacing the old-fashioned cages with naturalistic environments. Check out some great photos from the early days of the zoo. https://www.nycgovparks.org/about/history/zoos/central-park-zoo. Come visit us soon and a very Happy Anniversary!
Keep Your Eye on the Ball February 13, 2022
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Audrey and Roberta, Benny the dog, Central Park Zoo, Grizzly bears Betty and Veronica, Gus the polar bear, kitten bowl, Mr. Pepe, NYC, photography, puppy bowl, sea lion, Super Bowl, wildlife, Zoos
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It is Super Bowl Sunday once again. Thought I would salute all sorts of balls as they are used enrichment and fun in zoos and in my home. Enjoy some fun photos this super Sunday and may your team win. That said – I am more interested in the kitten and puppy bowls. 
Social Distancing in the Animal Kingdom March 15, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, COVID19, Gus the polar bear, photography, Red Panda, snow leopard, social distancing, solitary animals
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We humans are generally social creatures. Our directive to socially distance ourselves in the age of COVID19 is a challenge for many. Sometimes it brings out the best in us – and sometimes…not so much. Many other animals form similar groups, families and herds in order to protect each other, form social bonds, gather food for the group and more. Wolves, buffalo, elephants, dolphins and the great apes are all examples of animals that depend on each other and their group for survival. There are other animals that live their lives independently. These animals with an independent nature prefer traveling and living on their own. They often only find another of their kind in order to mate or to fight over territory. Here are just some of the many animals that live solitary lives. I am staying at home for the time being. I have a long list of projects that I have wanted to do and now I have a chance to do them. Stay safe and wash your hands.
Gus the Polar Bear – In Memorium September 1, 2013
Posted by judylobo in photography.Tags: Arctic Svarlbard, Central Park Zoo, Gus the polar bear, photography, travel, Zoos
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A picture is worth a thousand words is an apt expression for this week’s photo montage dedicated to one amazing polar bear. Gus, the polar bear who lived at the Central Park Zoo, was euthanized this week, at age 27. Inoperable cancer took him away from us – but he left us (it is said over 20 million visitors had seen Gus) with wonderful memories and stories. I was lucky enough to know Gus for 24 of his 27 years. As an ambassador to a dwindling species he (and now deceased companions, Ida and Lily) represented the polar bear with dignity, grace and beauty. He always made me smile and there was never a day at the zoo that my camera was not focused on him. I miss him already. If these few photos are not enough for you, here is a link from a photo montage that I made last February 2nd, in honor of International Polar Bear Day. In memory of Gus, we have booked a trip to Arctic Svalbard to hopefully see polar bears in the wild. Here is a video I made back in 2007 or a younger, Gus enjoying the pool. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RD0Q2E3zwf8 – 4.18.2007
The Summertime Yawns August 18, 2013
Posted by judylobo in Traveling.Tags: Benny the dog, Central Park Zoo, Gus the polar bear, photography, sea lion, snow leopard, Snow Monkey, wildlife, Zoos
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Those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer bring on those summer time yawns. Catching and then photographing one of the Central Park Zoo animals mid-yawn is always fun. Oh, there is one beautiful face that does not belong today – can you find him?
There’s no place like home… July 7, 2013
Posted by judylobo in Traveling.Tags: baby animals, banded mongoose, Central Park Zoo, Gus the polar bear, nature, NYC, photography, Sea Ducks, sea lion, travel, wildlife, zoo babies, zoocation
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It has been a couple of months of Sundays (and occasional Wednesdays) since I have featured my home base, the Central Park Zoo. There’s lots going on at NYC’s little gem of a zoo. We have three Swan Goose goslings, young Patagonian Cavy twins, baby Banded Mongooses and a young Victorian Crowned Pigeon. The usual cast of other wonderful animals includes Gus the polar bear, three acrobatic sea lions, April, Katy and Edith and the largest sea duck collection in a zoo in North America. Come visit – There’s no place like home!
Spring at the Central Park Zoo March 31, 2013
Posted by judylobo in Traveling.Tags: Benny the dog, Central Park Zoo, Gus the polar bear, photography, Photography Workshop, Sea Ducks, Snow Monkey, wildlife, Zoos
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Rarely a holiday goes by (whether we celebrate it or not here at Casa Lobo) that doesn’t cry out for a new hat that Benny the dog can wear. Enjoy this year’s Easter Benny..
Spring has sprung at the Central Park Zoo. The flowers are waking up after a long winter, and our animals are more active than ever. Come visit us.
Our Breakfast with the Birds class (April 28th) is sold out but there are a few spaces left in our Family Program, Images in Spring (Sunday, April 14th from 9 to 10:30). This family program is designed for parents and kids to share a photo adventure before the zoo opens. Click here for details and to sign up.
A Salute to Gus on International Polar Bear Day February 27, 2013
Posted by judylobo in Traveling.Tags: bear day, Central Park Zoo, climate, Gus the polar bear, International Polar Bear Day, nature, NYC, photography, travel, wildlife, zoocation, Zoos
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February 27th is International Polar Bear Day. Accordingly, I decided to salute the Central Park Zoo’s 27 year old charismatic polar bear, Gus.
Winter Arrives at the Central Park Zoo February 10, 2013
Posted by judylobo in Traveling.Tags: Central Park Zoo, Gus the polar bear, Nemo, NYC, photography, Snow Leopard cubs, Snow Monkey, travel, wildlife, zoocation
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Friday’s storm (aka Nemo) hit the Big Apple with a gentle touch. Nothing could keep me from getting some post-storm shots at the Central Park Zoo. Enjoy the snow loving animals and please watch my friend and zoocation buddy, Mary Schwalm’s time lapse video of little Barbie getting creamed by a heavy hitting Nemo in her backyard in North Andover MA. If you subscribe to my weekly photos (and get them in your in-box) you are probably not able to view my videos from your inbox image. Just scroll up and click on the blue link (which is the name of today’s send) and it will take you back to my ‘While at the Zoo’ website where you can watch today’s video selection. 
A June Day at the Central Park Zoo June 3, 2012
Posted by judylobo in photography, Traveling.Tags: Central Park Zoo, Gus the polar bear, nature, NYC, photography, Sea Ducks, Sea Lions, wildlife, zoo
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June is busting out all over the Central Park Zoo. There’s so much to enjoy when you plan a day at the zoo. Along with our fabulous collection of penguins, puffins, sea ducks, black and white ruffed lemurs, red pandas and of course, Gus, our polar bear we now have a collection of bugs!
While at the Zoo 