The Birds January 10, 2021
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Birds, Central Park Zoo, National Bird Day, nature, NYC, photography, wildlife, Zoos
16 comments
Last Tuesday, January fifth was National Bird Day. The craziness of this week in DC overshadowed this avian observance. I managed some of my own anxiety by spending early morning hours with the birds at the Central Park Zoo. Their lovely songs, cooing and chirping calmed my 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. These beautiful birds calmed me down this week so I salute them with this photo montage. Please continue to wear your mask, wash your hands and socially distance. 
Good Riddance to 2020 January 3, 2021
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, baby animals, nature, NYC, photography, snow leopard, Snow Leopard cubs, Snow Monkey, wildlife, zoocation, Zoos
25 comments
This wraps up 17 years of my sending out these Sunday (mostly zoo) montages. By my calculations that’s about 850 photo montages. Oh my! Thanks for coming along for the ride. I think some of you have been with me for the entire 17 years. I am thankful for that. I am not going to harp on what a crappy year this has been – no need to go over what we all have experienced. This was the first year since 2005 that we have not gone on any zoocations. We had one planned for March – but then everything came to a halt. I am hopeful that within six months our lives will somewhat return to normal and zoocations will commence once again. That said – I leave you as always with no ‘ifs, just ends and butts’.
Snow Day at the Central Park Zoo December 20, 2020
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
15 comments
We had about eight to 10 inches of snow fall in Central Park on Wednesday and Thursday. I LOVE snow days mostly because I do not have to shovel nor do I drive. It is a great opportunity to take photos of beautiful animals enjoying the cold weather. I admit that after four hours of picture taking I was very cold and a bit achy but it was all worth it. Enjoy these photos and come visit us at the zoo. You will need a timed ticket but it is worth it to make a plan. Stay safe, wash those hands and socially distance please. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. 
Yellow December 6, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, nature, NYC, photography, wildlife, Yellow, zoocation, Zoos
6 comments
Last week I featured the primary color RED and the week before the primary color BLUE . I wrap up my salute to the three primary colors this week with the color YELLOW. It was a fun three week project. I have a few other new themes rolling around in my brain.
RED November 29, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Birds, frogs, nature, photography, Red animals, Red Panda, Zoos
5 comments
Last week I featured extraordinary BLUE animals. RED is a primary color too. This week’s salute is to many of the amazing animals that have red in their coats, skin or feathers. Hope your Thanksgiving week has been yummy and safe. I know that ours was. Keep doing the right thing by wearing your mask, washing your hands and holding off those hugs until after we all get the vaccine. Enjoy RED!
Blue November 22, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Blue animals, Central Park Zoo, photography, zoocation, Zoos
13 comments
Blue is my favorite color. Nature has found its way to have an abundance of blue on its lovely creatures. My salute to all things blue this Sunday. Stay safe this holiday week. If you must travel please wear masks, socially distance and be careful. It is crazy out there.
I Love Fall Most of All November 15, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: autumn, Central Park Zoo, photography, Sea Ducks, snow leopard, Snow Monkey, Southwick's Zoo, travel, wildlife, zoocation, Zoos
12 comments
It is not a secret that I love this time of year. I like the crisp, clear air, the light and of course the changing leaves. Today’s salute to fall includes photos from my home base, the Central Park Zoo and photos from Southwick’s Zoo in Mendon, MA. My annual October visit to New England was cancelled this year due to COVID19 so these are photos both from past visits and newer photos from the Central Park Zoo. Please remember to wear your mask, wash your hands and socially distance.
Pumpkin Fun at the Central Park Zoo October 25, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, banded mongoose, Central Park Zoo, nature, NYC, photography, Pumpkin enrichment, snow leopard, Snow Monkey, Zoos
8 comments
One of the best things about this time of year are pumpkins. I normally run a public before hours photo session at the Central Park Zoo featuring pumpkin enrichment for our animals. Like most everything else the session was cancelled this year due to COVID19. I decided to go ahead with the enrichment and thanks to CPZ’s amazing staff we pulled it off. We dismissed with carving and just gave the animals whole pumpkins. It was fun, colorful and enriching for them, the staff and me. If you are a pumpkin nut like me – here’s a trip down memory lane from some of the other pumpkinpalooza events. 2019’s Hello Gourd-geous – 2018’s Pumpkinfest – 2017’s Pumpkin’s a Plenty – 2016’s Pumpkinpalooza. There’s more – but you get the idea. Here’s hoping that next year we are back to ‘normal’ times and we can have a pumpkin photo session again. Please stay safe, wear a mask and social distance. Enjoy the pumpkins. 
Brooklyn Bound October 18, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: baby animals, Brooklyn, nature, NYC, photography, Prospect Park Zoo, Red Panda, River Otter, wildlife, Zoos
11 comments
After eight long months of being on the island of Manhattan I took the Q train and ventured to Brooklyn’s Prospect Park Zoo this week. As most of you know, the Prospect Park Zoo was the zoo of my youth and I have a special place for it in my heart. It was a fun, productive visit and it was great to see the friendly faces of the staff and of course to revisit their wonderful collection of animals. Enjoy this week’s salute to Brooklyn and please wear a mask, socially distance, wash your hands and be safe.
Jumping Jacks September 27, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, baby animals, nature, NYC, photography, Snow Leopard cubs, wildlife, zoo babies, Zoos
3 comments
Today is day 200 for me being home during the COVID19 pandemic. It has been a challenging 6.5 months but the good news is I am returning to my photography job at the Central Park Zoo on Tuesday. Hopefully next Sunday’s montage will be fresh images of the fabulous animal collection at CPZ. Today’s montage is the final installment of salutes to children’s games. The jumping jack is a toy whose origins date back thousands of years. The jointed jumping jack figure is a cross between a puppet and paper doll. The figures are generally made from wood and their limbs are jointed and tied to a pull string. When the string is pulled and released, the arms and legs move up and down. Stay healthy and wear a mask please.
