Joy not Oy December 18, 2022
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Audrey, Benny the dog, Empire State Building, Happy Hanukkah, Jack the dog, Madison the cat, menorah, Mr. Pepe, NYC, Pete, photography, Roberta
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Tonight is the first of eight nights of Hanukkah. It isn’t really an important holiday on the Jewish calendar but since it falls so close to Christmas it has become more about merchandise (and of course food). We celebrate just about everything here at Casa Lobo. Here are some fun photos from the past and present. A shout out to my very cooperative pets over the years – Madison, Benny, One-eyed Jack, Roberta, Audrey Pete and of course, Mr. Pepe. Let’s all add a ‘J’ to that Oy!
‘Tis the Season December 11, 2022
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Arsenal Gallery, art, art exhibitions, Central Park Zoo, NYC, NYC Parks Dept., photography, Wreath Interpretation
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I go to this fun exhibit every year. The NYC Parks’ annual Wreath Interpretations exhibition returned to the Arsenal Gallery (the Arsenal is near the Central Park Zoo). This year’s collection of wreaths was created by artists, designers, and creative individuals of all ages who have used inventive and unexpected materials to re-envision the traditional holiday decoration. Wreaths included in this year’s exhibition use a wide range of unusual materials, including caution tape, traffic light reflectors, safety pins, bath sponges, rulers, Mardi Gras beads, and sugar meringue. They explore a wide range of themes, such as family history, volunteerism, endangered animals, and chemistry. Each wreath is accompanied by a short artist statement that tells gallery visitors about the meaning behind the wreath. The Arsenal Gallery is located on the third floor of NYC Parks’ Headquarters in Central Park, on Fifth Avenue at 64th Street. Gallery hours are Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., except holidays. Admission is free. 
The Tree (no, not that one) December 4, 2022
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, art, Christmas Tree, creche, Madison Square Park, Metropolitan Museum, NYC, photography
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The Rockefeller Christmas tree steals all of the hype and publicity but my favorite holiday tree is at the Metropolitan Museum. The ornaments and figurines were donated in 1964 by private collector Loretta Hines Howard. The crèche is much older than that. It was made in the 18th century by Italian sculptor Giuseppe Sanmartino from Naples.The magnificently lit 20 foot blue spruce looms over the 18th century Neapolitan Nativity scene surrounded by an abundant array of lifelike figures with robed angels hovering above. You can see this beauty thru January 8 2023. New York City’s first public Christmas tree was actually located in Madison Square Park in 1912. The tree arrived in Madison Square Park on December 21,1912, measuring 60 feet tall. The tree was draped with 2,300 colored electric bulbs donated by the Edison Company. Emilie D. Lee Herreshoff. She proposed a way that would allow everyone, even those who couldn’t afford their own tree, to celebrate the holiday season and participate in the tree lighting. 
96th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade November 27, 2022
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: floats, Macy's Thanksgiving Da Parade, NYC, parade, photography
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The 96th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade went on without a hitch. The wind was calm, the temperature better than it has been in the past few years. We got there early (as usual) and found perfect seats in the top row of the bleachers. The top row has a back so body aches are kept at a minimum. The toughest part of waiting is the waiting. Over two long hours go by and the crowd will cheer at anything that goes by…flying pigeons, bomb sniffing dogs or whatever crosses our path. We also got to meet and chat with some of the lovely people waiting with us. Once Santa shows up (he is the last float) all the people scurry to get home. Hope your Thanksgiving was yummy. 
The Great Five Boro NYC Bake-off November 20, 2022
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: art, Five Boro NYC Bake-off, Gingerbread, Museum of the City if NY, NYC, photography
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The Museum of the City of New York has begun a great tradition with the Five Boro Gingerbread Bake-off. Bakers from each of the five boroughs were tasked with creating a gingerbread display from their neighborhood home borough. I was very excited to see that not only was my neighborhood represented for Manhattan but my actual building was featured as well (directly across for the Flatiron building). Other than the overwhelming smell of gingerbread it was a fun experience. It is on display until January 8th. 
Junk in the Trunk November 13, 2022
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: art, Louis Vuitton, NYC, photography
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On August 4, 2021, visionary Louis Vuitton would have turned 200 years old. To celebrate the man, his innovative spirit, and his ongoing legacy (try to avoid the Nazi collaboration part), the company invited 200 visionaries spanning the fields of art to science across the world to express their creativity. In response these creative people have shared their dreams, fears, ideas and reflections. An amalgamation of the past, present and future. This is a fun, wild, colorful, quirky exhibit in the former Barney’s on Madison Avenue and 60th Street. It is free with a timed ticket and runs thru the end of December, 2022.
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year October 30, 2022
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Central Park Zoo, nature, NYC, photography, Photography Workshop, Pumpkin enrichment, Red Panda, snow leopard, Snow Monkey, wildlife, Zoos
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The most wonderful time of year for me is pumpkin season. It is fun, colorful and enriching. Enjoy last Sunday’s photos from our fun photo session at the Central Park Zoo. 
International Snow Leopard Day October 23, 2022
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Central Park Zoo, International Snow Leoard Day, nature, NYC, photography, snow leopard, Snow Leopard cubs, wildlife, zoo babies, Zoos
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Full disclosure – I love taking photos of snow leopards. They are beautiful animals and especially captivating in the snow. A salute to the Central Park Zoo’s snow leopards on International Snow Leopard Day . Here’s to Mei Mei, Bo, Molly, Askai, Malala, River, Summit, Asha and Valens, all pictured here, our very special Central Park Zoo cats both past and present. 
Razzle Dazzle October 16, 2022
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: art, Machine Dazzle, Museum of Art and Design, NYC, photography, Photography Workshop, queer maximalism
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I love the Museum of Art and Design. They always have fascinating and unique exhibits. If you are not sure what you will be wearing this coming Halloween I suggest you get some inspiration from this amazing exhibit. ‘Queer Maximalism x Machine Dazzle is the first solo exhibition dedicated to the genre-defying artist Matthew Flower, better known as Machine Dazzle. A provocateur commanding an expanding repertoire of stagecraft, design, performance, and music, Machine Dazzle is a virtuoso practitioner of queer maximalism’s aesthetic language of liberation. The exhibition brings together nearly 100 of the artist’s creations for stage, spectacles, and street theater, alongside a variety of environments, ephemera, material samples, photography, and video. The result is an explosive “queer maximalism” aesthetic that joyfully counters the prejudices of high culture regarding extravagance and the overly decorated and embraces these associations as queer for affirming hybridity over purity, rejecting cultural hierarchies, and valuing different kinds of bodies.
Last chance to sign up for next Sunday’s adult photo sessions at the Central Park Zoo. We are featuring my favorite – PUMPKINS! It is being held on October 23rd and you can sign up here. See you there! 
Fleurs de Villes October 9, 2022
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Fleurs de Villes, flowers, Hudson Yards, mannequins, NYC, photography
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The Shops at Hudson Yards showcases Fleurs de Villes which combines the love of flowers, local design talent, and unique displays of 16, over ten feet tall floral mannequins. This year, mannequins pay homage to women including Bella Azbug, Bette Midler, Billie Holiday, Chite Rivera, Edith Wharton, Eleanor Roosevelt, Fanny Brice, Frida Kahlo, Gloria Vanderbilt, Jennifer Lopez, Lady Gaga, Leontyne Price, Malala Yousafzai, Serena Williams, Vera Wang, and Queen Elizabeth II. It is a fun, festive floral tribute to these amazing women. I guarantee you will smile. It is on display only until October16th.
While at the Zoo 