Don’t Bug Me! September 25, 2022
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: American Museum of atural History, animals, Central Park Zoo, Insects, Leon Biss, nature, NYC, photography, Photography Workshop
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The exhibit Extinct and Endangered at the Museum of Natural History is fascinating, beautiful and amazing. British photographer Leon Biss has created eye popping, way larger than life (some are over 8 ft wide) photos of insects. ‘Photographs in Extinct and Endangered are created from over 10,000 individual images using a bespoke camera system and microscope objectives, with the final artworks revealing intricate details normally hidden from the human eye’. This exhibit is available with general admission tickets. Go see it and avail yourself of this photographic wonder. Speaking of photos, I am happy to announce the Central Park Zoo will once again be holding adult photo sessions after a two year hiatus. This time we feature my favorite – PUMPKINS! It is being held on Sunday October 23rd and you can sign up here. https://centralparkzoo.com/learn/adults/adult-programs. See you there! 
Int’l. Red Panda Day September 18, 2022
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Central Park Zoo, International Red Panda Day, photography, Photography Workshop, Red Panda, wildlife, zoo babies, Zoos
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Yesterday was International Red Panda Day. It is celebrated to spread awareness about a species that is near extinction. The day was launched by the Red Panda Network in 2010. At that time, 16 schools and a few zoos participated in red panda activities. Currently, more than 60 zoos around the world participate, with over 100,000 visitors on Red Panda Day. On our many zoocations we have come across lots of red pandas with Tennessee seeming to have the most. Other than being absolutely adorable it is almost impossible to take a bad photo of a red panda. Speaking of photos, I am happy to announce the the Central Park Zoo will once again be holding adult photo sessions after a two year hiatus. This time we feature my favorite – PUMPKINS! It is being held on Sunday October 23rd and you can sign up here. See you there!
#42 September 11, 2022
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: baseball, Brooklyn Dodgers, Central Park Zoo, Jackie Robinson, Jackie Robinson Museum, NYC, photography, Photography Workshop
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True story. I was at a Brooklyn Dodgers game at Ebbets Field with my father sometime in the ‘50s. We were in the parking lot going to our car when we met Jackie Robinson, chatted and then got his autograph. He seemed to me the tallest person I had ever seen and as it turns out…one of the nicest. The Jackie Robinson Museum opened last week and what a thrill it was to visit. There’s a whole lot to know about this amazing man. He was a family man, an activist for social justice, an incredible ball player and soldier. In a ceremony before the April 15, 1997, game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets at Shea Stadium, the baseball commissioner declared that No. 42 – Robinson’s number with the Brooklyn Dodgers – would be permanently retired throughout Major League Baseball. It was also fun to speak to the other visitors about our experiences as Brooklyn Dodger fans (both old and young). Please visit – you will not be disappointed (even if you are a Yankees fan). Speaking of fun – after a two year hiatus, the Central Park Zoo is happy to bring back our photo classes. This time we feature my favorite – PUMPKINS! It is being held on Sunday October 23rd and you can sign up here. See you there!
Pumped for Pumpkins November 7, 2021
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Central Park Zoo, nature, NYC, photography, Photography Workshop, Pumpkin enrichment, pumpkins, Red Panda, Sea Ducks, sea lion, snow leopard, Snow Monkey, wildlife, Zoos
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My October obsession with all things bats and pumpkins has come to an end with last Sunday’s adult photo session at the Central Park Zoo. Fun and enrichment was had by all species. I usually post something about our having to turn the clocks today as Daylight Savings Time ends. If you enjoyed those posts – here is the one from last year. Enjoy that extra hour of sleep.
Trick or Treat October 24, 2021
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Central Park Zoo, chelsea, Halloween, halloween decorations, NYC, photography, Photography Workshop, pumpkins, upper east side
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Anyone that knows me is aware that this is my favorite time of the year. Pumpkins, apple crisp, candy, costumes, decorations, cooler temperatures, and lots of fun. A shout out to my pal Robyn for alerting me to some of the best decorated places in Manhattan. I have been wandering the streets of the upper East Side and Chelsea to see these houses. Along the way I have had the opportunity of meeting the people who put up the decorations and chatting with them. Anyone that says that New Yorkers aren’t nice and fun – is plain crazy. Maybe next year I will venture off the island to visit some of the other boroughs. And finally – next Sunday, Halloween, is the Central Park Zoo’s first adult photo session since COVID. There are a few slots left so come join us for some pumpkin fun. Click here to sign up here. 
A Return to the Beardsley Zoo October 10, 2021
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, AZA, beardsley zoo, nature, photography, Photography Workshop, wildlife, Zoos
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I got the opportunity to return to the Beardsley Zoo with some good friends this week. I had not been there since 2013. There have been many terrific changes to the facility. The zoo is located in a park designed by Frederick Law Olmstead (who also designed our NY’s Central Park and Prospect Park). It is Connecticut’s only AZA accredited zoo. If you get a chance, I highly recommend a visit. The bottom photo of a snow monkey with a pumpkin is not from the Beardsley Zoo but is an oldie but goodie from one of my photo sessions at the Central Park Zoo. We are holding our first photo session since COVID on Halloween day. Click here to sign up for some pumpkin fun. 
Showstoppers September 26, 2021
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Broadway, Central Park Zoo, costumes, NYC, photography, Photography Workshop, Showstopppers
9 comments
A shout out to Irina and Trevor for alerting me to this fun, colorful and informative temporary exhibit about the costumes of Broadway. Showstoppers is all about the amazing costumes and artistry that goes into creating, designing and making these fabulous costumes. If you love sequins, glitz and fabulous design this exhibit is for you. The exhibit has been extended through Halloween. Speaking of Halloween, there are still some spaces left in my Halloween photo session at the Central Park Zoo. Click here to sign up and join our pumpkin fun. 
Red Pandamonium September 19, 2021
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: International Red Panda Day, nature, NYC, photography, Photography Workshop, Red Panda, travel, wildlife, zoo babies, Zoos
7 comments
Yesterday was International Red Panda Day. The Red Panda Network launched International Red Panda Day in 2010. At that time, 16 schools and a few zoos participated in red panda activities. Currently, more than 60 zoos around the world participate, with over 100,000 visitors on Red Panda Day. On our many zoocations we have come across lots of red pandas with Tennessee seeming to have the most. The very bottom of today’s red panda montage features photos of the Central Park Zoo’s pandas, Jen and Goodwin with their offspring, Scarlet and Rose. I took these photos back in 2004. Other than being absolutely adorable it is almost impossible to take a bad photo of a red panda. Speaking of photos, I am happy to announce the the Central Park Zoo will once again be holding adult photo sessions. The first one is Sunday, October 31st from 8:30 to 10:00am. Click here to sign up. We will obviously be featuring my favorite enrichment – pumpkins! Hope to see you there. 
Spring Forward – Fall Back March 8, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Clocks, Daylight Savings Time, NYC, photography, Photography Workshop
9 comments
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!
Valentine Tails 2020 February 16, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animal enrichment, animals, photography, Photography Workshop, Red Panda, sea lion, snow leopard, Snow Monkey, Valentine's Day, wildlife, Zoos
11 comments
Last Sunday’s photo experience at the Central Park Zoo was great. The weather was on our side and the zoo’s animal collection were ready for some Valentine treats. The animals were enriched by the different Valentine themed items placed in each of their habitats. The photographers had almost as much fun (or maybe more) as the animals. Thanks to the Central Park Zoo’s talented and creative zookeepers and managers who made this one heartfelt day.
While at the Zoo 