Virtual Thanksgiving Day Parade November 26, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Balloons, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, NYC, photography
10 comments
Like everything else in this crazy COVID19 year, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is going to be very different. I thought I would re-post my adventures from last year’s parade since this year there will be no spectators. In 2019 I was lucky to be able to get six bleacher tickets for the parade. Prior to the parade the local weather forecasters were predicting dire wind circumstances for the balloons. Would they fly or wouldn’t they fly? Turns out they did fly (sort of). Most of the balloons were horizontal and it was very tricky to try to contain them. Kudos to the balloon handlers for generally keeping them afloat. My family loved the parade despite the cold, the wind and the two hour wait before it began. Whatever you are doing today – please be safe. 
For the Birds November 8, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Birds, Central Park Zoo, NYC, Penguins, photography
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It was a very long, stressful election night that last flour days. I managed some of my own stress by spending early morning hours with the birds of the Central Park Zoo. Their lovely songs, cooing or chirping calmed my soul. So I wondered why the term ‘for the birds’ is a negative one. The expression means worthless, useless, ridiculous or foolish. I categorically disagree. These beautiful birds calmed me down this week so I salute them with this photo montage. Please continue to wear your mask, wash your hands and socially distance. 
Tick Tock, Tick Tock November 1, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Clocks, Daylight Savings Time, Mr. Pepe, NYC, photography, Standard time
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I am quite sure that no one wants to add another hour to this horrific COVID19 year – yet here we are. The days seem shorter and most certainly darker. Here are a few tidbits about the history of why we change our clocks twice a year. My good 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. The photo of my dog, Mr. Pepe, above, in his Halloween outfits has nothing to do with Standard time other than I thought you might enjoy his outfits. 
Pumpkin Fun at the Central Park Zoo October 25, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, banded mongoose, Central Park Zoo, nature, NYC, photography, Pumpkin enrichment, snow leopard, Snow Monkey, Zoos
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One of the best things about this time of year are pumpkins. I normally run a public before hours photo session at the Central Park Zoo featuring pumpkin enrichment for our animals. Like most everything else the session was cancelled this year due to COVID19. I decided to go ahead with the enrichment and thanks to CPZ’s amazing staff we pulled it off. We dismissed with carving and just gave the animals whole pumpkins. It was fun, colorful and enriching for them, the staff and me. If you are a pumpkin nut like me – here’s a trip down memory lane from some of the other pumpkinpalooza events. 2019’s Hello Gourd-geous – 2018’s Pumpkinfest – 2017’s Pumpkin’s a Plenty – 2016’s Pumpkinpalooza. There’s more – but you get the idea. Here’s hoping that next year we are back to ‘normal’ times and we can have a pumpkin photo session again. Please stay safe, wear a mask and social distance. Enjoy the pumpkins. 
Brooklyn Bound October 18, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: baby animals, Brooklyn, nature, NYC, photography, Prospect Park Zoo, Red Panda, River Otter, wildlife, Zoos
11 comments
After eight long months of being on the island of Manhattan I took the Q train and ventured to Brooklyn’s Prospect Park Zoo this week. As most of you know, the Prospect Park Zoo was the zoo of my youth and I have a special place for it in my heart. It was a fun, productive visit and it was great to see the friendly faces of the staff and of course to revisit their wonderful collection of animals. Enjoy this week’s salute to Brooklyn and please wear a mask, socially distance, wash your hands and be safe.
Jumping Jacks September 27, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, baby animals, nature, NYC, photography, Snow Leopard cubs, wildlife, zoo babies, Zoos
3 comments
Today is day 200 for me being home during the COVID19 pandemic. It has been a challenging 6.5 months but the good news is I am returning to my photography job at the Central Park Zoo on Tuesday. Hopefully next Sunday’s montage will be fresh images of the fabulous animal collection at CPZ. Today’s montage is the final installment of salutes to children’s games. The jumping jack is a toy whose origins date back thousands of years. The jointed jumping jack figure is a cross between a puppet and paper doll. The figures are generally made from wood and their limbs are jointed and tied to a pull string. When the string is pulled and released, the arms and legs move up and down. Stay healthy and wear a mask please.
Happy Seven Years with Audrey and Roberta August 30, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Audrey and Roberta, baby animals, Jack the dog, Madison the cat, Mr. Pepe, NYC, photography
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Even though this is day 170 for me being home during COVID19 birthday celebrations must and should go on. Today is seven years since Audrey and Roberta came to live at Casa Lobo. They experienced different house mates over the years starting with Madison the Grumpy Cat and Benny the dog. Then came Jack the one-eyed dog, then Pete the cat and now of course, Mr Pepe the dog. They have gotten along with all and have brought great joy into my house. Here’s to many more years of fun with these two cats. They have their own facebook page with over 900 fans. Want to see daily photos of the gang? Click here and sign up. 
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
10 comments
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
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.
