Otterly Adorable June 28, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: baby animals, nature, NYC, otters, photography, River Otter, small-clawed otters, wildlife, zoo babies, Zoos
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This is day 109 for me being home during the COVID19 pandemic. Still hoping that you are all staying safe and wearing your masks. My goal each week during the pandemic is to give you a few smiles. Nothing makes me smile more than otters. They are active, fun and most of all – adorable. This week’s selection of photos come from my previous visits to the Prospect Park Zoo, Bronx Zoo, Potawatomi Zoo, Smithsonian’s National Zoo, Capron Park Zoo and the Woodland Park zoo. The animals featured are river otters and small-clawed otters. Hope they give you a little cheer. Stay healthy please.
Oh those April Showers May 3, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: april showers, Madison Square Park, may flowers, nature, NYC, photography
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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
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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.
Three Months with Mr. Pepe April 5, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Audrey and Roberta, Mr. Pepe, NYC, Pete the Cat, photography
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It is definitely going to be challenge to come up with different topics for my Sunday photo blog while social distancing and quarantining during this COVID19 crazy time.Luckily I have my own little zoo here at home. Today’s montage features my cats Audrey, Roberta and Pete as they adjust to having nine pound Mr. Pepe around the house. Mr. Pepe has been with us for the past three months and all is hunky dory. The cats have learned to scramble when the tennis ball I throw to Mr Pepe comes their way. There is an understanding at meal times who gets fed first. There’s lots of sniffing and staring but by and large everybody is cool with this new living arrangement. Hope you are all safe and healthy. 
Hope Springs Eternal March 22, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: baby animals, Central Park Zoo, COVID19, NYC, photography, Sea Ducks, sea lion, Snow Leopard cubs, zoo babies
15 comments
Happy unusual spring to all of you. Hope springs eternal was coined by Alexander Pope in An Essay on Man in 1732 and quickly became proverbial. If you are like me, you are hunkering down, socially distancing, washing your hands and making a list of things you definitely, positively will do during this pause in all of our lives while we combat COVID19. Since I am committed to making a photo montage each Sunday (I have considered it a creative challenge for the past 17 years) I was stumped as to what to post this morning. How many photos of my three cats and my dog do you really want to see?I decided that we all need to smile and nothing makes me smile more than baby animals. All of these adorable baby photos were taken at my home base, the Central Park Zoo over the years. Once again – a tremendous salute to all of the people who are at the zoo taking care of our beautiful collection of animals and taking care of the facility and keeping it secure. I look forward to coming back soon.
When Irish Eyes Aren’t Smiling March 17, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Irish, NYC, photography, St. Patrick's Day
7 comments
We are living through strange times because of COVID19. It is the first time NYC’s St. Patrick’s Day parade, which draws about 150,000 marchers and two million spectators, will not go on as planned in more than 250 years. It is, like most things, postponed until a later date. I salute the many zookeepers and zoo employees around the US for taking care of our amazing animal collections and facilities while this virus circulates. Stay safe and wash your hands. The photo above the title is my dog, Mr. Pepe, who is doing his best to celebrate at home.
Spring Forward – Fall Back March 8, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Clocks, Daylight Savings Time, NYC, photography, Photography Workshop
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It is that time of year when we spring forward our clocks and next October 31, we fall back. Here are a few tidbits about the history of Daylight Savings Time. My dear friend Mary, who was raised in Arizona, hates when we change the clocks. Only Arizona and Hawaii stick with one time all year round. Did you know both China and India have only one time zone? I don’t have an opinion about changing the clocks – I just love clocks. I have more clocks in my house than I need but I like looking at them. And by the way – I am never late. Here’s a fun article about them and the man who changes some of the clocks in NYC. FYI – there are only five spaces left in our fun before zoo hours photo session at the Central Park Zoo on April 26th – Tempus fugit!
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. 
Introducing Mr. Pepe January 12, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Friends with Four Paws, Mr. Pepe, NYC, photography, Photography Workshop, Susie's Senior Dogs
18 comments
A big welcome to the newest member of the Gang at Casa Lobo – Mr. Pepe. He is about nine years old and is a sweet, loving, quiet, cat tolerating, friendly addition to the family. We have sadly been dog-less for fourteen months when we had to say goodbye to One-eyed Jack. I follow Susie’s Senior Dogs on facebook and have been watching for that one special dog to appear. About a month ago I saw an ad (featuring Mr.Pepe’s photo in upper left) for their pop up adoption event in Soho (see ad below in montage). I walked down to Soho, met Mr. Pepe, spoke with his amazing foster Mom and that was pretty much it. After my application and references (thank you Sue, Kelly and Karen) were processed – he was ours. A shout out to the all volunteers at Friends with Four Paws who orchestrate the transfer and placement of dogs from Oklahoma into foster homes in the New York/NJ/CT. My three cats (especially Roberta) came around pretty quickly and we are looking forward to new adventures together. Audrey the cat has been sniffing him quite a bit. However, Pete is taking his sweet time. He will come around…I am sure.
The Cloisters December 22, 2019
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Fort Tryon Park, Gothic, NYC, photography, Photography Workshop, Romanesque, The Cloisters, Unicorns
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One of my favorite places in NYC is the Metropolitan Museum’s Cloisters in Fort Tryon Park. I try to make my way at least once a year. Our visit took place on a rainy, foggy, misty day which made for an even more special atmosphere. Not being able to see more than a few feet in front of us allowed our imaginations to soar thinking about the Romanesque and Gothic origins of this European structure and treasures. Yes the Cloisters sits in upper Manhattan but it is really a world away. After our visit a short walk took us to the delightful New Leaf Cafe in Fort Tryon Park for lunch.
