Mother’s Day 2020 May 10, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Happy Mother's Day, nature, photography, wildlife, zoo babies, zoocation
9 comments
My mother was born in 1918 during the Spanish Flu pandemic. I wonder what she would have to say about what we all are living thru today because of COVID19…sigh. I want to wish a very Happy Mother’s Day to all to all of the mothers, caregivers, nurturers, pamperers, surrogates and loving coddlers out there regardless of how you celebrate the day during these unusual times. Our mother, Lillian Wolfe, is long gone, but her advice, warnings and general ‘Lili-isms’ live on in our daily lives. She taught us to laugh at life, to think, to question authority, to march, to protest – to fight the good fight. She also gave us our moral compass – one glance from Lillian told us instantly whether our behavior was acceptable or not – and I got a lot of glances. My sister Terry and I remember many childhood events differently but we both agree that our mother was a pistol. Here’s to Lillian Wolfe – she formed and informed what we are today. 
Oh those April Showers May 3, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: april showers, Madison Square Park, may flowers, nature, NYC, photography
13 comments
It seemed to rain more than usual this April in NYC. The good news is that those April showers sure brought those beautiful May flowers. During my 52 days of lockdown (so far) I walk in Madison Square Park a lot both with my dog, Mr. Pepe and by myself. Round and round and round I go noticing all of the trees blooming, the flowers growing and the grass getting greener. I managed to even read all of the memorial plaques on the benches which made me both sad and nostalgic.I hope you are all staying healthy and managing to get out to smell the flowers (thru those masks if you can). 
Zzzzzz’s April 19, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Central Park Zoo, nature, NYC, photography, wildlife, yawning animals, Zoos
14 comments
Do you find yourself catching some extra Zzzz’s these days. Are you bored? Are you yawning? This is day 38 for me staying at home as a non-essential person. Hats off and loud cheers to all of the essential folk out there. I appreciate your heroic and difficult efforts during this COVID19 pandemic. So what have I been doing? I have brought out my art supplies and hit the drawing board which feels pretty good. I am a bit rusty but other than my three cats and a dog, who is going to judge me? I keep in touch with the heroic zookeepers and education staff at the Central Park Zoo who are keeping everything going. I check in on my sick friends daily. I text a lot, enjoy some face-timing with family and friends and get and send many silly memes which always make me laugh. I try to reach out via telephone to two people a day and have longer chats than usual. Of course there are always dog walks. I read the newspaper – even the articles I am not very interested in. Am I bored? Not really. But I thought these yawning photos of animals might make you smile – and we all can use that. Stay safe out there.
Kaleidoscope of Orchids at NYBG February 23, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: flowers, Jeff Leatham, nature, NYBG, NYC, Orchids, photography
6 comments
Our yearly visit to the New York Botanical Garden’s Orchid Show did not disappoint. This year designer Jeff Leatham’s vision of color and form infuse the total experience. Go visit if you can. 
Late Fall at the Capron Park Zoo February 2, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Capron Park Zoo, Lions, nature, photography, Photography Workshop, river otters, travel, wildlife, zoocation, Zoos
7 comments
The same rainy, windy, grey late fall day that we visited the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence RI, we stopped in at the Capron Park Zoo in Attleboro MA. Again – I believe we were the only two visitors. Despite the weather we had a great time. We got to see two tree climbing river otters (another first for us). The zoo is eight acres but packs a lot into that space. They have three very vocal loving lions who entertained us for quite awhile. If you are in the area I encourage a visit. Last call for next Sunday’s Valentine Tails photo session at the Central Park Zoo. A very few spaces remain open. See ya then. 
Roger Williams Park Zoo, Providence RI January 19, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Baby anteater, nature, photography, Photography Workshop, Providence RI, Roger Williams Park Zoo, travel, zoo babies, zoocation
5 comments
It was a dreary, rainy, cold late fall afternoon when we went to Rhode Island’s Roger Williams Park Zoo. We were perhaps the only two visitors that weekday, but sometimes wonderful surprises happen when you least expect them. We were treated to observing both the giant and lesser (tamandua) anteaters. The giant anteater had a baby on her back (a photo first for both of us). The zookeepers we met were delightful and open to sharing stories and photo ops for us. It was a terrific visit and I encourage you to stop in if you are going through Providence.
Muir Woods January 5, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Muir Woods, nature, photography, travel, vacation
6 comments
We spent a fun and active week with family in California. We hadn’t visited Muir Woods in 10 years. To add to this once in a decade experience we decided to recreate our old family photo from 2010 (resulting effort at bottom of montage). We enjoyed strolling through this amazing space with graceful redwoods, delicate ferns, clover, fallen trees and beautiful light throughout. Needless to say we had many laughs recreating our 2010 photo and a shout out to a kind stranger who took our photo. If you are in the area I strongly suggest a visit but please note that reservations are now required due to a severe shortage of parking spaces. Happy New Year!
Prospect Park Zoo – Winter 2019 December 15, 2019
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: baby animals, Brooklyn, Hamadryas baboons, nature, NYC, photography, Photography Workshop, Prospect Park Zoo, Red Panda, sea lion, wildlife, Zoos
7 comments
I had the pleasure of spending a few days in the past month at the Prospect Park Zoo. As some of you know – this was the zoo of my childhood so it holds a very special place in my heart. I googled Prospect Park Zoo and got some interesting history facts here. Please visit if you can while their two red panda cubs are still young and you might also get to see their week old baby boy Hamadryas baboon.
Northwest Trek, Tacoma WA October 13, 2019
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: nature, Northwest Trek, photography, Tacoma WA, travel, wildlife, zoocation, Zoos
5 comments
Zoo#4 on our Pacific Northwest 2019 zoocation was Northwest Trek, in Tacoma WA. Over 40 species of native wildlife live in this beautiful habitat. Much of the visit can only be seen by tram and we were extremely lucky to be the only two people on the 10AM tram tour. Our guide and driver, Caleb, was charming, informative and ready to stop as many times as we asked him to in order to get photos. The free-roaming area via tram is a 435-acre Northwest paradise for herds of Roosevelt elk, bison, moose, caribou, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, swans and deer. The walking part of the habitat includes, cats, bears, eagles and much much more. I encourage you to visit this beautiful spot if you are in the Tacoma area. 
Pt. Defiance Zoo and Aquarium October 6, 2019
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: baby animals, Kulu, nature, NY Aquarium, photography, Pt. Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, red wolf, Tacoma, travel, wildlife, zoo babies, zoocation, Zoos
4 comments
Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium in Tacoma, WA was stop #3 on our Pacific Northwest 2019 Zoocation. It is a beautiful facility in a spectacular location. We were fortunate to see their eight red wolf cubs (now teenagers) during a keeper talk and feed. Also got to see their adorable tapir baby Kazu. I was especially taken by their puffin habitat and of course seeing their two walrus’ who are on their way to San Diego for breeding was very special. Many of you will recognize the New York Aquarium’s Kulu (featured in my title photo). A special shout out to Malia for spending time with us upon our arrival.
