Paterfamilias June 15, 2025
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, baby animals, Happy Father's Day, nature, Paterfamilias, photography, Snow Monkey, wildlife, zoo babies, Zoos
5 comments
While most caregivers in the animal kingdom are mothers, there are some fathers who join in the role as caregiver. I salute some of those fathers in today’s photo montage. Happy Father’s Day! Coincidentally – tomorrow is also National Martini Day. Why not celebrate that special day today? 
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
8 comments
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!
Look at the Birdie May 4, 2025
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Birds, birdwatching, Black and white warbler, National Bird Day, nature, NYC, photography, wildlife
8 comments
Today is National Bird Day. Their lovely songs, cooing and chirping can calm the 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. With over 2,000 species of birds in North America, birdwatchers and nature lovers alike will appreciate the beauty and variety of these winged friends offer. From songbirds to waterfowl and domesticated birds, they come in every color of plumage and wingspan. During the spring, migrating birds move to their summer nesting grounds. It’s an excellent time for those new to birdwatching to learn to identify birds by species. Enthusiasts also know that birds will migrate through backyards and stop for a rest, a bite to eat, and a drink if the right habitat is provided. From my own little perch in the middle of Manhattan I have seen an American Kestrel, Red-tailed Hawk, hummingbirds and of course the ever present NYC pigeon. These passerby’s delight me and my three cats. A bit of trivia – Charles Almanzo Babcock, Oil City, Pennsylvania Superintendent of Schools, established the first Bird Day in 1894. It was also the first holiday in the United States dedicated to the celebration of birds. Babcock founded the day, observed annually on May 4th, to advance bird conservation as a moral value. I photographed the black and white warbler (my title photo above) while at the Central Park Zoo when my expert birder friend Mary I pointed it out to me.
Hippity Hop April 20, 2025
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Audrey and Roberta, Benny the dog, Easter bunny, nature, One-eyed Jack the Dog, photography, Rabbits, wildlife
7 comments
The most prominent secular symbol of the Christian holiday, the Easter Bunny, was reportedly introduced to America by German immigrants who brought over their stories of an egg-laying hare. The decoration of eggs is believed to date back to at least the 13th century. In Christianity, rabbits represent rebirth and resurrection, particularly during Easter celebrations. The rabbit’s ability to reproduce quickly also signifies fertility and new life. Rabbits are the ‘go to’ animal during this holiday. See if you can spot some of these breeds in today’s photo montage: Himalayans, Belgian Hares, Flemish Giants, Holland Lops, Giant Chinchillas, Dwarf Hotots, Harelquins, Thriantas. We have never had a bunny at Casa Lobo so the photos above is the closest we could get. 
Groundhog Day February 2, 2025
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Audrey and Roberta, baby animals, giraffe, Groundhog Day, nature, NYC, photography, Sea Ducks, shadows, Snow Leopard cubs, wildlife, Zoos
2 comments
Yes, it is Groundhog Day (again). If Puxatawny Phil or Staten Island Chuck see their shadows we will have six more weeks of winter. I share some of my classic zoo shadow photos today where all of these amazing animals (including one of my own house cats) see their shadows.
World Waterfowl Day January 17, 2025
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, baby animals, ducks, nature, NYC, photography, Sea Ducks, waterfowl, wildlife, World Waterfowl Day, zoo babies, Zoos
4 comments
Today (January 17th) is the first World Waterfowl Day. The goal is to spread awareness, knowledge, and interest for waterfowl, as well as the conservation of these birds and their habitats.This group of birds is comprised of more than 170 species of ducks, geese, and swans found throughout the world’s wetlands. Sadly, one-third of all wild waterfowl are considered threatened or endangered. Habitat loss and human population growth are the primary causes of waterfowl declines. Water pollution from agricultural runoff, waste, and other contaminants destroy the food sources for waterfowl. As wetlands are destroyed, so are essential spots for breeding, nesting, and feeding. World Waterfowl Day presents an opportunity for all to work towards the protection, conservation and reproduction of all waterfowl species to stop them from being in danger of extinction. Waterfowl are incredibly adaptable and can be found on every continent except Antarctica. In fact, they thrive in almost any environment that is near water. Protecting waterfowl is crucial. The loss of one species from our ecosystem can have an effect on other species. By protecting waterfowl, we are not only safeguarding the natural world but also the habitats that many other living things rely on – including humans! Enjoy just a small photo sampling of some of these beautiful species.
It’s a Wrap! December 29, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, End of Year, Happy new year, nature, NYC, photography, wildlife, zoo babies, Zoos
11 comments
Today’s montage completes 21 years of posting my Sunday photos. By my calculations (and I won the math award in eighth grade) that’s about 1052 Sunday photo montages. Yikes! Thanks for coming along for the ride. Some of you have been with me for the entire 21 years. I am very thankful for that and welcome all new subscribers. Hoping to do my best to keep posting on Sundays. I leave you as always, with no ‘ifs – just ends and butts.’ Wishing everyone a very happy and healthy New Year. 
Smashing Pumpkins October 27, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, banded mongoose, Central Park Zoo, Mr. Pepe, NYC, photography, Pumpkin enrichment, pumpkins, Red Panda, Sea Ducks, snow leopard, wildlife, zoo babies, Zoos
9 comments
My October obsession with all things bats, birthdays and pumpkins has almost come to an end with this Sunday’s photo montage. Enjoy (with me) some fun pumpkin enrichment from this year and from the past years at the Central Park Zoo.The bottom photo is of my dog, Mr. Pepe with his small pumpkins that I call ‘Pepekins.’ 
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.
Who doesn’t love a red panda? September 22, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, baby animals, Central Park Zoo, International Red Panda Day, Nashville Zoo, nature, photography, Prospect Park Zoo, Red Panda, wildlife, zoocation, Zoos
9 comments
Yesterday was International Red Panda Day. Their habitat is being destroyed by deforestation, agriculture, and human settlement, and they are also hunted for their fur and body parts. International Red Panda Day was initiated by the Red Panda Network in 2010 as a way to raise awareness and promote conservation efforts for red pandas.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.
While at the Zoo 