Ya gotta know when to fold ’em (part one) July 14, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, baby animals, big cats, Central Park Zoo, nature, NYC, photography, retirement, wildlife, zoo babies, Zoos
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After 35 wonderful years at the Central Park Zoo, first as a volunteer Friday Zoo Guide for 20 years and then 15 years as their photographer I decided it was time to hang up my lens. As they say ‘ya gotta know when to fold ‘em’ and seemed like the right time to retire. This blog was started 20 years ago as a way to share all of the photos I took ‘while at the zoo.’ I met many of you through my occasional weekend themed photo classes where you got special access to our collection before zoo hours and others if you worked at the the zoo. To the rest of my subscribers I thank you for being part of my Sunday posts. I already miss the amazing staff at CPZ and of course miss our beautiful collection of animals. Am I going to continue this blog? Absolutely! Will I keep going to zoos? Most definitely! Today’s montage is Part One of some of my favorite photos I took over those years (past and present). I hope you stay along for the ride and my next chapter in life. 
Red, White and Zoo – 2024 July 4, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, art, cranes, Giant Panda, Gus the polar bear, Macaws, nature, NYC, photography, poison dart frog, red eyed tree frog, Red Panda, Sea Ducks, white headed duck, wildlife, Zoos
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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.
Daddy’s Home June 16, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, baby animals, Daddy's Home, Father's Day, nature, NYC, photography, wildlife, zoo babies, Zoos
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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 out there in today’s photo montage. Coincidentally – tomorrow is also National Martini Day. Why not celebrate that special day today? 
Curiouser and Curiouser June 9, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Alice in Wonderland, animals, art, Art exhibit, flowers, horticulture, nature, NYBG, NYC, photography
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`Curiouser and curiouser!’ cried Alice as she entered the magical world in that rich story so long ago. The New York Botanical Garden creates a fun, beautiful and whimsical trip down Alice’s rabbit hole throughout the garden, Mertz Library and the Haupt Conservatory. Inside the Haupt Conservatory, discover thousands of vibrant flowers in imaginative horticultural displays that highlight the lush, blooming gardens of the Victorian era. Then dive deeper into Alice’s world in the Library—you’ll learn about the novel’s historical context and modern interpretations, including the stories of mind-altering plants, which were much-studied during the Victorian era and continue to be the subjects of cutting-edge scientific research today. The Victorian period in which Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (1865) was first published was a time of exploration and wonder that some might call mad. Age of Wonder shows you the era’s impact on this timeless story, with original manuscripts, illustrations, and rare first-edition printings of Alice. This exhibition is on through the end of October.
To all the Mothers, Madres, Maters, Mutters, Mayan et al May 12, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, baby animals, Mother and baby, Mother's Day, nature, photography, snow leopard, Snow Leopard cubs, zoo babies, Zoos
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A very Happy Mother’s Day to all to all of the mothers, caregivers, nurturers, pamperers, surrogates and loving coddlers out there. 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 and all of the other mothers out there who formed and informed what we all are today. 
Animales del Cinco de Mayo May 5, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, axolotl, baby animals, Caiman, Chachalaca, Chihuahuas, coati, Gila monster, Harpy Eagle, Howler monkey, iguana, Jaguar, Manatee, Mexican fruit bat, Mexican wolf, Monarch butterfly, nature, Ocelot, photography, Quetzal, Rattlesnake, Scarlet macaw, Spider monkey, Tamandua, wildlife
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Cinco de Mayo is a big holiday in Mexico. I thought I would share my photos of some of the many animals that come from Mexico. A small sample today includes Harpy Eagle, Jaguar, Mexican wolf, axolotl, Spider monkey, Howler monkey, Ocelot, Scarlet macaw, Iguana, Rattlesnake, Quetzal, Manatee, Monarch butterfly, Coati, Tamandua, Chachalaca, Caiman, Mexican fruit bat, Gila monster and of course Mr. Pepe my adorable senior chihuahua. ARRIBA!
The World of Beatrix Potter April 21, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: art, Art exhibit, baby animals, Beatrix Potter, Morgan Library, nature, NYC, Peter Rabbit, photography
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The Morgan Library has a wonderful, informative exhibit about Beatrix Potter (1866 – 1943). She was an English writer, Illustrator, naturalist and way ahead of her time, conservationist. She is best known for her children’s books featuring animals such as Peter Rabbit, which was her first commercially published work in 1902. Her books, including 23 Tales and has sold more than 250 million copies. She was an entrepreneur and a pioneer of character merchandising. In1903, Peter Rabbit was the first fictional character to be made into a patented stuffed toy, making him the oldest licensed character. Potter’s books continue to sell throughout the world in many languages with her stories being retold in songs, films, ballet, and animations. Her life is depicted in two films and a television series. The Morgan Library is one of my favorite places to visit in Manhattan. It also has the best gift shop. This exhibit runs through June 9th. 
National Dolphin Day April 14, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, atlantic white sided dolphins, Bottlenosed Dolphins, dolphins, Indianapolis Zoo, nature, photography, Sea World San Diego, travel, wildlife, zoocation, Zoos
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Today is National Dolphin Day. The day is dedicated to this beautiful and charismatic marine mammal and its importance in protecting the ocean ecosystem. The dolphins shown in today’s montage are Atlantic white-sided dolphins seen on a whale watching excursion out of Gloucester and bottlenosed dolphins seen both at the Indianapolis zoo and San Diego Sea World. 
Bunny Hop March 31, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, baby animals, Belgian Hares, Dwarf Hotots, Easter, Flemish Giants, Giant Chinchillas, Harelquins, Himalayans, Holland Lops, nature, photography, Rabbits, Thriantas
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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 photo above is the closest we could get. 
Bear Hugs March 24, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: andean bears, animals, bears, Giant Panda, grizzly bear, nature, photography, polar bear, polar bear cub, sun bear, wildlife, Zoos
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Yesterday was World Bear Day. There are eight species of bear: the American black bear, Asiatic black bear, the brown bear, the giant panda, the polar bear, the sloth bear, the spectacled bear, and the sun bear. I honor these grand mammals with today’s photo montage. Sending the photos out to you with lots of bear hugs.
While at the Zoo 