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
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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
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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
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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!
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
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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.
Late Fall at the Capron Park Zoo February 2, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Capron Park Zoo, Lions, nature, photography, Photography Workshop, river otters, travel, wildlife, zoocation, Zoos
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The same rainy, windy, grey late fall day that we visited the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence RI, we stopped in at the Capron Park Zoo in Attleboro MA. Again – I believe we were the only two visitors. Despite the weather we had a great time. We got to see two tree climbing river otters (another first for us). The zoo is eight acres but packs a lot into that space. They have three very vocal loving lions who entertained us for quite awhile. If you are in the area I encourage a visit. Last call for next Sunday’s Valentine Tails photo session at the Central Park Zoo. A very few spaces remain open. See ya then. 
Late Fall at the NY Aquarium January 26, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Brooklyn, High Line, Nathans hot dogs, NY Aquarium, photography, Photography Workshop, travel, wildlife, Zoos
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My California family visited NYC Thanksgiving week. We did lots of great fun touristy things like walking over the Brooklyn Bridge and then having Grimaldi’s pizza in Brooklyn (yum), the Thanksgiving Day parade, the High Line and the Vessel at Hudson Yards. Not to be missed was a chance to go to Coney Island for some delicious Nathan’s hot dogs and fries. While at Coney Island we also visited the NY Aquarium. We were lucky that it was not crowded and could spend more quality time with these beautiful sea creatures.It was a fabulous week.
Roger Williams Park Zoo, Providence RI January 19, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Baby anteater, nature, photography, Photography Workshop, Providence RI, Roger Williams Park Zoo, travel, zoo babies, zoocation
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It was a dreary, rainy, cold late fall afternoon when we went to Rhode Island’s Roger Williams Park Zoo. We were perhaps the only two visitors that weekday, but sometimes wonderful surprises happen when you least expect them. We were treated to observing both the giant and lesser (tamandua) anteaters. The giant anteater had a baby on her back (a photo first for both of us). The zookeepers we met were delightful and open to sharing stories and photo ops for us. It was a terrific visit and I encourage you to stop in if you are going through Providence.
While at the Zoo 