More Birding While Arting September 14, 2025
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, art, Art exhibit, Arting, birding, nature, NYC, photography
add a comment
As I said in a Sunday post about two months ago ” My friend Donald and I have been ‘arting’ about once a week in the museums and galleries of NYC for the past 18 months. I thought I had made up the word ‘arting’ but recently searched its roots. It turns out the term ‘arting’ is not a standard English word, but it is sometimes used to refer to the act of creating art, or the process of using art to understand oneself and the world. Anyhow, it’s a good word and serves our purposes. From the beginning, whenever I saw a bird in a work of art, I would text that photo to one of my bird nerd friends. There is never any context in the text – I just send it to her. Sometimes she responds and other times she laughingly asks if I can buy it for her”. So today’s montage once again features a number of these past texts. This was a fun montage to put together. Hope you enjoy today’s beautiful birds.
Open Wide and Yawn August 24, 2025
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, baby animals, grizzly bears, hippo, lemur, nature, pelican, Scarlet Ibis chick, snow leopard, Tigers, wildlife, wolves, zoo babies, Zoos
5 comments
The lazy hazy crazy yawning days of summer are almost over and I am extremely happy about that. It is fun to photograph animals mid-yawning. Enjoy today’s photo montage and try to keep yourself from a yawn.
National Zookeeper Week 2025 July 20, 2025
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, banded mongoose, Central Park Zoo, grizzly bear, King Penguins, nature, NYC, photography, Red Panda, sea lion, snow leopard, Snow Monkey, wildlife, Zoos
2 comments
The third week in July is when we recognize and celebrate the dedicated zookeepers who keep our zoos and aquariums humming. Zookeeper’s faces may change from year to year but the hard work, resourcefulness and commitment remain the same. I salute you all and especially the staff at my home base, the Central Park Zoo. Thank you for allowing me to take your photos while you perform your tasks with good humor. We are open 365 days a year thru rain, snow, summer heat and all holidays.
Salute to Red, White and Zoo July 4, 2025
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, cuban trogon, July Fourth, nature, NYC, photography, red, white and zoo, wildlife, zoocation, Zoos
2 comments
Summer is a time for reruns. Accordingly I share last year’s July 4th post. This was a fun montage to create. I didn’t realize how many animals could be included in this red, white and blue themed photo montage. Wishing you a safe, happy holiday and keep those pets inside as most are afraid of the noisy fireworks.
Paterfamilias June 15, 2025
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, baby animals, Happy Father's Day, nature, Paterfamilias, photography, Snow Monkey, wildlife, zoo babies, Zoos
5 comments
While most caregivers in the animal kingdom are mothers, there are some fathers who join in the role as caregiver. I salute some of those fathers in today’s photo montage. Happy Father’s Day! Coincidentally – tomorrow is also National Martini Day. Why not celebrate that special day today? 
Look at the Birdie May 4, 2025
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Birds, birdwatching, Black and white warbler, National Bird Day, nature, NYC, photography, wildlife
8 comments
Today is National Bird Day. Their lovely songs, cooing and chirping can calm the soul. So I wondered why the term ‘for the birds’ is a negative one. The expression means worthless, useless, ridiculous or foolish. I categorically disagree. With over 2,000 species of birds in North America, birdwatchers and nature lovers alike will appreciate the beauty and variety of these winged friends offer. From songbirds to waterfowl and domesticated birds, they come in every color of plumage and wingspan. During the spring, migrating birds move to their summer nesting grounds. It’s an excellent time for those new to birdwatching to learn to identify birds by species. Enthusiasts also know that birds will migrate through backyards and stop for a rest, a bite to eat, and a drink if the right habitat is provided. From my own little perch in the middle of Manhattan I have seen an American Kestrel, Red-tailed Hawk, hummingbirds and of course the ever present NYC pigeon. These passerby’s delight me and my three cats. A bit of trivia – Charles Almanzo Babcock, Oil City, Pennsylvania Superintendent of Schools, established the first Bird Day in 1894. It was also the first holiday in the United States dedicated to the celebration of birds. Babcock founded the day, observed annually on May 4th, to advance bird conservation as a moral value. I photographed the black and white warbler (my title photo above) while at the Central Park Zoo when my expert birder friend Mary I pointed it out to me.
Hippity Hop April 20, 2025
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Audrey and Roberta, Benny the dog, Easter bunny, nature, One-eyed Jack the Dog, photography, Rabbits, wildlife
7 comments
The most prominent secular symbol of the Christian holiday, the Easter Bunny, was reportedly introduced to America by German immigrants who brought over their stories of an egg-laying hare. The decoration of eggs is believed to date back to at least the 13th century. In Christianity, rabbits represent rebirth and resurrection, particularly during Easter celebrations. The rabbit’s ability to reproduce quickly also signifies fertility and new life. Rabbits are the ‘go to’ animal during this holiday. See if you can spot some of these breeds in today’s photo montage: Himalayans, Belgian Hares, Flemish Giants, Holland Lops, Giant Chinchillas, Dwarf Hotots, Harelquins, Thriantas. We have never had a bunny at Casa Lobo so the photos above is the closest we could get. 
Orchids: A Dance of Color March 30, 2025
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: art, Art exhibit, flowers, Mexico, nature, NYBG, NYC, Orchids, photography
7 comments
New York Botanical Garden presents its 22nd annual Orchid Show. Their yearly celebration of all things orchid spotlights the vibrant setting of Mexico for The Orchid Show: Mexican Modernism. The show this year was conceived as a tribute to the great midcentury Mexican architect Luis Barragán (1902-88). If you enjoy color (and I do) this show will delight your eyes. NYBG’s orchid show is always a welcome diversion from the grays of winter. It is on thru April 27th. Visit and feast your eyes.
Groundhog Day February 2, 2025
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Audrey and Roberta, baby animals, giraffe, Groundhog Day, nature, NYC, photography, Sea Ducks, shadows, Snow Leopard cubs, wildlife, Zoos
2 comments
Yes, it is Groundhog Day (again). If Puxatawny Phil or Staten Island Chuck see their shadows we will have six more weeks of winter. I share some of my classic zoo shadow photos today where all of these amazing animals (including one of my own house cats) see their shadows.
World Waterfowl Day January 17, 2025
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, baby animals, ducks, nature, NYC, photography, Sea Ducks, waterfowl, wildlife, World Waterfowl Day, zoo babies, Zoos
4 comments
Today (January 17th) is the first World Waterfowl Day. The goal is to spread awareness, knowledge, and interest for waterfowl, as well as the conservation of these birds and their habitats.This group of birds is comprised of more than 170 species of ducks, geese, and swans found throughout the world’s wetlands. Sadly, one-third of all wild waterfowl are considered threatened or endangered. Habitat loss and human population growth are the primary causes of waterfowl declines. Water pollution from agricultural runoff, waste, and other contaminants destroy the food sources for waterfowl. As wetlands are destroyed, so are essential spots for breeding, nesting, and feeding. World Waterfowl Day presents an opportunity for all to work towards the protection, conservation and reproduction of all waterfowl species to stop them from being in danger of extinction. Waterfowl are incredibly adaptable and can be found on every continent except Antarctica. In fact, they thrive in almost any environment that is near water. Protecting waterfowl is crucial. The loss of one species from our ecosystem can have an effect on other species. By protecting waterfowl, we are not only safeguarding the natural world but also the habitats that many other living things rely on – including humans! Enjoy just a small photo sampling of some of these beautiful species.
While at the Zoo 