You CAN Get There From Here August 31, 2025
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Art exhibit, IRT, maps, MTA, NYC, photography, Poster House, travel
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The Poster House is a NYC treasure. They always have fun, informative and unique exhibits. They are closing soon to install new exhibits but the one I share today is on thru November 2. I admit I am a mass transit New Yorker. I haven’t drive a car in over 10 years and do not miss it at all. Our subway system gets all of us where we need to go quickly and cheaply. My earliest memory is paying 15 cents for a ride. The NYC subway token was first introduced in 1953. Over the next 50 years, 6 variations were designed and minted, becoming well-known symbols of the underground transit system. Just after midnight on April 13, 2003, these iconic tokens were phased out and the MTA transitioned to the Metrocard for its fare collection. Now the Metrocard has been replaced by the Omni card which is a tap and go system. This exhibit is focused on The Interborough Rapid Transit Company (IRT) which opened New York City’s original underground subway line in October 1904. While the city was one of the most diverse in the country, before the introduction of the subway, most New Yorkers were not in regular contact with people outside their own neighborhoods. Initially extending from the Bronx to Lower Manhattan (with service to Brooklyn beginning in 1908) and forming part of the wider transit system , the convenient and affordable IRT encouraged riders to travel beyond their communities for both work and leisure. This small exhibit features the in-car posters In order to entice people to regularly use the subway. The Subway Sun, highlighted each borough’s unique attractions. Put the Poster House on your regular schedule and visit it often. They also have an amazing gift shop.
Mom’s the Word May 11, 2025
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, baby animals, Happy Mother's Day, Mom, photography, travel, wildlife, zoo babies, Zoos
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A very Happy Mother’s Day to all to all of the mothers, caregivers, nurturers, pamperers, surrogates and loving coddlers out there. I toast you all!
September Visit to the National Zoo September 29, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, nature, photography, Sand cats, Smithsonian's National Zoo, travel, wildlife, Zoos
7 comments
Washington DC is a great town to visit. I am lucky that my friends live in the Watergate and I have open invitations to visit. And so I do. This three day visit included amazing art exhibits, yummy food, long walks (everything is further away than you think) and of course The National Zoo. Our zoo experience was abbreviated due to planning way too many things on our itinerary but an always fun visit. Enjoy my photos and see your tax dollars in action.
Day Trip and Fall September 15, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: art, Art exhibit, Four Freedoms Park, Nellie Bly, NYC, photography, Roosevelt Island, Tram, travel, Views
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It was Friday the 13th and my pal Robyn and I were off on another NYC adventure (what could go wrong)? We took the Roosevelt Island Tram and headed to what was supposed to be some type of pop-up flower/exhibit/sale event. I realized I hadn’t been to Roosevelt Island in over 20 years where my NYC Marathon buddies and I would train with its magnificent views. A lot has change in 20 years but the old smallpox hospital was still standing. Lots of new housing and the exceptional Four Freedoms Park dedicated to Franklin Delano Roosevelt had been built. We took our time absorbing the stellar views of Manhattan heading towards the original flower goal. As we got closer to the flower part we realized the line was way too long. Neither Robyn nor I are good at lines so we decided to just circle the island. It was hot, but we persevered. Walking to the northern most part of the island we saw the wonderful Nellie Bly Park, public art and the old lighthouse. Heading back to the tram I somehow got tangled up in a wayward dog’s leash and down I went (just like Frazier)! Collective screams and curses could be heard. After assessing if anything was broken we got me situated and headed back to the safety of Manhattan. It was not exactly the day we had planned but adventures can be surprising in many ways. And really, what was I expecting on Friday the 13th? Enjoy the views.
World Painted Dog Day August 25, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Bronx Zoo, Brookfield Zoo, Fort Worth Zoo, nature, Oregon Zoo, photography, Potawatomi Zoo, travel, wildlife, World Painted Dog Day, zoo babies, zoocation, Zoos
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Tomorrow is World Painted Dog Day. These majestic creatures are also known as African wild dogs or African hunting dogs, which are wild canines and natives of sub-Saharan Africa. Their prey is gazelles, impalas, wildebeests, warthogs, and other small animals. Painted dogs are extremely vulnerable to human encroachment and agricultural expansion, which has been destroying their habitats. They are quite social and intelligent. Within the pack, these canines have a unique social structure. They cooperate in taking care of the wounded and sick members, there is a general lack of aggression exhibited between members of the pack, and there is little intimidation among the social hierarchy. Today, fewer than 7,000 African wild dogs survive in the wild, and only 1,500 of these are adults. Their priority is always to protect their pack; pups get first feed after a kill, ‘aunties’ act as pup-sitters for other mothers, and if a wild dog becomes ill or injured, their pack-mates rally round to care for them. Wilde dogs have also been seen mourning lost family members. Loss of quality habitat and poaching represent the biggest problems. Unless we take action to address these threats, painted dogs will become extinct in our lifetime. All of today’s photos were taken at the following zoos: Potawatomi, Bronx, Oregon, Brookfield and Fort Worth.
World Orangutan Day August 18, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: nature, Orangutans, photography, travel, wildlife, World Orangutan Day, zoo babies, zoocation, Zoos
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Tomorrow is World Orangutan Day. I am fascinated by these beautiful, smart, strong apes. It was fun going through my old photos from visits to the Toledo Zoo, National Zoo, Philadelphia Zoo, Cleveland Metropark Zoo and Sedgwick County Zoo to find my favorites orangutan photos. World Orangutan Day is a day every year when conservationists, wildlife organizations, and individuals around the world highlight the plight of orangutans and the horrors of the exotic pet trade and widespread deforestation. Here are 6 facts about these apes.
- There are three species of orangutans: Bornean, Sumatran, and Tapanuli orangutans. All are critically endangered
- Orangutans mainly eat fruit and are essential for dispersing seeds across the rainforest, helping the wider ecosystem flourish. They are known as gardeners of the forest.
- For every captive orangutan sold in the exotic pet market, up to 11 other orangutans are killed while trying to protect the poached ape. Many captive animals also don’t survive the journey.
- Female orangutans only have a baby every seven or eight years, the longest time between births of any mammal.
- Wild orangutans use plants to treat joint and muscle inflammation, just like local people.
- Widespread deforestation, logging, oil palm plantations, human conflict, and the illegal pet trade are the most significant threats to orangutans in modern times.
The Awe of the Arctic June 2, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Arctic Svarlbard, Art exhibit, New York Public Library, NYC, photography, The Awe of the Arctic, travel
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The New York Public Library on 5th Avenue has a wonderful exhibit on the main floor and third floor that explores the wonder and awe of the Arctic. For centuries, what lies above the Arctic Circle has been a source of intrigue and fascination for those who live below its border. Stories from the ancient Greeks mixed with Norse mythology and reports from early voyages gave rise to lively and creative conceptions of ice-free waters and a fabled people who lived at the top of the world. Whether as woodcuts, engravings, lithographs, photographs, halftones, or digital prints, these images continue to captivate. This exhibit is on through July 13. Today’s montage features vintage images of the Arctic and art through contemporary eyes. I was lucky to venture to the arctic in 2014. Here are three links to my photos from that wonderful trip. The Arctic Landscape and Land of the Ice Bear and finally Land of the Midnight Sun. 
National Dolphin Day April 14, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, atlantic white sided dolphins, Bottlenosed Dolphins, dolphins, Indianapolis Zoo, nature, photography, Sea World San Diego, travel, wildlife, zoocation, Zoos
6 comments
Today is National Dolphin Day. The day is dedicated to this beautiful and charismatic marine mammal and its importance in protecting the ocean ecosystem. The dolphins shown in today’s montage are Atlantic white-sided dolphins seen on a whale watching excursion out of Gloucester and bottlenosed dolphins seen both at the Indianapolis zoo and San Diego Sea World. 
Penguin Awareness Day January 21, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Adelie penguins, animals, Antarctica, baby animals, Chinstrap penguins, Falklands, King Penguins, nature, Penguins, photography, South Georgia, travel
15 comments
Yesterday was Penguin Awareness Day. It is celebrated to help raise awareness about the dwindling numbers of these beautiful black and white creatures, primarily due to human activity and climate change around the globe. It hopes to shine a light on the importance of the conservation of penguin habitats. I was lucky to take the trip of a lifetime 19 years ago to Antarctica, the Falklands and South Georgia. I selected some those photos to share with you today. I hope they bring a smile to your face. 
Fly Me to the Moon January 7, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Air and Space Museum, Art exhibit, astronauts, fly me to the moon, lunar landing, moon shot, photography, travel, Washington DC
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Went to DC last month to visit good friends. While there we visited the newly opened and renovated Air and Space Museum. It was very impressive. It is difficult to believe that the Wright Bothers invented the first airplane a little over 120 years ago and how much has been accomplished since then. The future seems boundless. There’s lots to see in this massive space (which is now only half open) but we spent most of our time viewing the first moon landing and examining their gear, their supplies, their food and medications. Timed tickets are required but it is free. Highly recommend. 
While at the Zoo 