Winter Wonderland January 9, 2022
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Central Park Zoo, nature, NYC, photography, Red Panda, Sea Ducks, sea lion, snow leopard, Snow Monkey, wildlife, Zoos
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There is something special about the first real snow fall of the season. Friday’s NYC winter wonderland only lasted a few short hours but it blanketed the city with a pristine, fluffy, white covering. I salute all of the people who have to keep the city running during this type of weather. Me? I do not drive nor do I have to shovel and I take mass transit. So I grabbed my camera and headed to my home base, the Central Park Zoo. It has been about two months since I posted CPZ photos. Hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed taking them.
Parting Shots January 2, 2022
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Butts, nature, photography, wildlife, Year end photos, zoo babies, Zoos
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Today’s montage completes 18 years of my sending out these Sunday photos. By my calculations that’s over 900 photo montages. Oh my! Thanks for coming along for the ride. I think some of you have been with me for the entire 18 years. I am thankful for that. I am not going to harp on what another strange year this has been as the seemingly never ending pandemic continues. That said – I leave you as always with no ‘ifs, just ends and butts’. Wishing everyone a happy and healthy new year. Let’s start anew in ’22.
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.
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. 
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. 
Happy 33rd Anniversary – Central Park Zoo August 8, 2021
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Central Park Zoo, NYC, photography, wildlife, Zoos
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Today is the 33rd anniversary of the Central Park Zoo. I am happy to say I have been associated with the zoo for the past 31of those 33 years (that is probably how I know most of you). The zoo began in the 1860s as a menagerie. The zoo or menagerie (as it was called) started inside and around the Arsenal (built in 1848 – which now houses our WCS administrative offices and the NYC Parks Dept). The zoo was modified in 1934 as part of the WPA with the addition of many new buildings arranged in a quadrangle around the sea lion pool. In a contract with NYC, the zoo was completely renovated in the mid-1980s and with much fanfare, reopened on August 8th, 1988, replacing the old-fashioned cages with naturalistic environments. There are many great old photos of the menagerie and zoo found with a simple google search. Come visit us soon and a very Happy Anniversary!
Red, White and Zoo – 2021 July 4, 2021
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, July Fourth, nature, photography, wildlife, Zoos
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Summer is a time for reruns. Accordingly I share last year’s post since July Fourth actually falls on a Sunday this year. This was a fun montage to create. I didn’t realize how many animals could be included in this red, white and blue themed photo montage. Wishing you a safe, happy holiday and keep those pets inside as most are afraid of the noisy fireworks.
Happy Father’s Day 2021 June 20, 2021
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, baby animals, Central Park Zoo, Happy Father's Day, nature, NYC, photography, wildlife, zoo babies, Zoos
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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 out there in today’s photo montage. Coincidentally – tomorrow is also National Martini Day. Why not celebrate that special day today? The photo above today’s montage is of my father, sister and me (circa – the beginning of time).
Southwick’s Zoo June 13, 2021
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, baby animals, photography, Southwick's Zoo, wildlife, zoo babies, zoocation, Zoos
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Last month’s fun trip to New England included the always terrific Southwick’s Zoo. It is a 300-acre, privately owned and operated, zoological park located in Mendon, Massachusetts. It was opened in 1963, and remains family-operated to date. We usually visit around Halloween time but due to last year’s COVID restrictions we missed our annual visit. It was good to be back and also good to see even more improvements to this ever changing facility. 
Mamma Mia May 9, 2021
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, baby animals, Happy Mother's Day, nature, photography, wildlife, zoo babies, Zoos
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My mother was born in 1918 during the Spanish Flu pandemic. I wonder what she would have to say about what we all are living thru today because of COVID19. I want to wish a very Happy Mother’s Day to all to all of the mothers, caregivers, nurturers, pamperers, surrogates and loving coddlers out there regardless of how you celebrate the day during these unusual times. Our mother, Lillian Wolfe, is long gone, but her advice, warnings and general ‘Lili-isms’ live on in our daily lives. She taught us to laugh at life, to think, to question authority, to march, to protest – to fight the good fight. She also gave us our moral compass – one glance from Lillian told us instantly whether our behavior was acceptable or not – and I got a lot of glances. My sister Terry and I remember many childhood events differently but we both agree that our mother was a pistol. Here’s to Lillian Wolfe – she formed and informed what we are today. 
While at the Zoo 