Gourdness Gracious! November 5, 2023
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Daylight Savings Time, gourds, nature, NYC, photography, Pumpkin enrichment, Red Panda, snow leopard, Snow Monkey, Standard time, wildlife, Zoos
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My October obsession with all things bats, birthdays and pumpkins has come to an end with this Sunday’s photo montage. Fun and enrichment was had by all species (especially me). I usually post something about our having to turn the clocks today as Daylight Savings Time ends. Here’s one from three years ago. Enjoy that extra hour of sleep. I got up earlier than usual. Sigh.
Ghost of the Mountains October 22, 2023
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: art, big cats, Ghost of the Mountains, International Snow Leoard Day, nature, photography, snow leopard, Snow Leopard cubs, travel, wildlife, zoo babies, Zoos
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Tomorrow is International Snow Leopard Day and my birthday. Snow leopards are known as the ‘ghost of the mountains’ because of their solitary and elusive nature. I sometimes am solitary and elusive too. Cheers to these gorgeous cats (and me). For more information about these gorgeous and endangered cats click here. 
Bats in the Belfry October 1, 2023
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Batober, Bats, flying foxes, flying mammals, guano, nature, NYC, photography, wildlife, zoo babies
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I have wanted to use this title for a long time just like last week’s Swimming with the Fishes. How lucky were we that the beginning of October starts on a Sunday? I love October with the fall leaves, pumpkins, birthdays and bats. Bats are our friends. Here are some fun bat facts – Bats can live more than 30 years and can fly at speeds of 60 miles per hour (or more!) Bats can find their food in total darkness. Bats can eat up to 1,200 mosquitoes an hour. More than half of the bat species in the United States are in severe decline or listed as endangered. Some bats hibernate in caves through the cold winter months. Pallid bats eat scorpions! Bat droppings, called guano, are one of the richest fertilizers. The world’s largest bat is the “flying fox,” which lives on islands in the South Pacific. Baby bats are called pups! Most bats have only one pup a year. The Bracken Bat Cave in Texas is home to the world’s largest bat colony. Happy Batober!
King of the Jungle August 13, 2023
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Big Cat Initiative, big cats, Lion, nature, photography, wildlife, World Lion Day, Zoos
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Thursday was World Lion Day and is celebrated annually on August 10 to raise awareness of the sharp decline in lion populations due to threats ranging from habitat loss to illegal hunting. The day was established in 2013 by environmentalists Dereck and Beverly Joubert, founders of the Big Cat Initiative. Today’s photo montage is dedicated to these beautiful cats.
A Wake of Vultures August 6, 2023
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, art, Art exhibit, Ebony Patterson, nature, NYBG, NYC, photography, vultures
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In flight, a flock of vultures is a kettle and when the birds are feeding together at a carcass, the group is called a wake. We visited NYBG https: on Friday and both enjoyed this very different and fascinating exhibition. The vultures are both inside and outside the Conservatory. Artist Ebony G. Patterson, after a year long residency at the NY Botanical Garden created for the conservatory her exhibition called “…things come to thrive…in the shedding…in the molting…”. Patterson is the first artist-in-residence the NYBG has ever had. The vultures in the installation are a clear gesture towards the idea of death. But at the same time, Patterson explored their role within the broader ecosystem, and how by “consuming the landscape, they’re revealing things within it,” she says. They’re consuming our nature’s wounds, “as an act of care … and in doing so, they reveal other things that are hidden, so bodies become revealed.” The exhibit is on through October 22, 2023. I encourage your visit. NY Times review here 
Happy Red, White and Zoo in ’23 to you July 2, 2023
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: July Fourth, nature, NYC, photography, red, white and zoo, wildlife, zoo babies, 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.
Father Knows Best June 18, 2023
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: baby animals, Baby daddy, Father KNows Best, Father's Day, nature, photography, travel, zoo babies, Zoos
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When I was a wee lass there wasn’t much to watch on our black and white TV. I do remember ‘Father Knows Best.’ We watched it but it surely did not remind me of my family. How about you? 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? The photo above today’s montage is of my little Wolfe family -father, mother, sister and me (circa – the beginning of time).
On a Clear Day… June 11, 2023
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: city views, Empire State Building, nature, NYC, Observation decks, One Vanderbilt, One World Observatory, photography, Top of the Rock
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After a few of the horrible smoke filled acrid air days we have had I was happy that we went up to Top of the Rock several weeks ago. My friend Robyn Roth-Moise and I like to visit observation decks. I hadn’t been to Top of the Rock in over 20 years and it was fun to revisit. It is located atop Rockefeller Center and has splendid views of the city I love. Enjoy today’s photos. If you like high places, here are a few of the other special spots to see this amazing city. The Edge , One World Observatory , Empire State Building , One Vanderbilt .
Snug as a Bug in a Rug June 4, 2023
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: American Museum of atural History, animals, ants, art, Bugs, butterflies, Gilder Center, Insects, nature, NYC, photography
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The American Museum of Natural History recently opened its very impressive Gilder Centar. The Gilder Center features new exhibition galleries and one-of-a-kind experiences, including an insectarium, butterfly vivarium, floor-to-ceiling collections displays, and more—and connects to the rest of the American Museum of Natural History on four floors. I admit that AMNH is not my favorite space in NYC but I found myself enjoying this visit thoroughly. We were also delighted to find a new yummy restaurant in this space. No more will one have to endure the very loud, crowded cafeteria. I suggest you enter this new space via the Columbus Avenue entrance to get the full architectural experience.
Happy Mother’s Day – 2023 May 14, 2023
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: baby animals, Happy Mother's Day, nature, photography, wildlife, 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 – she formed and informed what we are today. Today’s montage is dedicated to two of my friends who left us before their time. Neither was a mother but both were great role models, teachers and creative forces. Here’s to Elise and Sue. Carpe diem!
While at the Zoo 