Snow Leopard Cubs at the Central Park Zoo November 10, 2013
Posted by judylobo in Traveling.Tags: baby animals, Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, photography, Photography Workshop, Sacramento Zoo and Askai, Snow Leopard cubs, travel, wildlife, Zoos
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Two adorable snow leopard cubs made their public debut at the Central Park Zoo this week. The twins were born on June 2, 2013 and now weigh about 30 pounds each. When fully grown they can be anywhere from 60 to 120 pounds. Zoe, the mother is seven and was born at the Sacramento Zoo and Askai is six and came to us via the Bronx Zoo but was born in a zoo in Berlin, Germany. The ‘awwwwwwwwwww’ factor was loud and clear from happy visitors who came to see the cubs this week. I encourage you to drop everything and visit us as soon as you can. They grow up quickly. I dedicate this week’s photo montage to Zoe and the yet, un-named cubs. If you scroll to the bottom you can see the very handsome Askai, the cubs’ father.
For those of you that are signed up (or want to sign up – there are spaces left) for the two photo workshops at the zoo this month will get to have a few private moments with the cubs before the public runs up the hill to see them. Click here and under Family Programs you will find: Grandparents Photo Series: Breakfast with the Birds next Sunday, November 17 from 8:30 to 10:30 and under Adult Programs you will find: Photo Series: Breakfast with the Birds two weeks from today on November 24th from 8:30 to 10:30. Sign up – it’s fun and you will see these a adorable cubs for sure.
Pumpkintastic! October 27, 2013
Posted by judylobo in Traveling.Tags: Central Park Zoo, enrichment, Photography Workshop, pumpkins, wildlife, Zoos
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Most of these photos were taken last Sunday at the Central Park Zoo’s photo workshop – it was a barrel of fun. Pumpkins galore! Both the animals and photographers were enriched by the experience. A special shout out to the Central Park Zoo Friday Guides and the Saturday Education crew and Interns for their excellent carving expertise. If you want some photo fun check out the host of classes coming up at the Zoo including two photo options in November.
Southwick’s Zoo – Fall 2013 October 25, 2013
Posted by judylobo in Traveling.Tags: fall foliage, Mary Schwalm, nature, photography, Southwick's Zoo, travel, wildlife, zoo babies, zoocation, Zoos
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Rounding out a leaf-tastic fun visit to New England with my zoo-cation buddy, Mary Schwalm, was a visit to the Southwick’s Zoo in Mendon MA. This autumn visit proved to be the best one ever. An abundance of color combined with having the zoo almost all to ourselves made for a fine mini-zoocation.
Fall at the Staten Island Zoo October 13, 2013
Posted by judylobo in Traveling.Tags: Amur Leopards, baby animals, Baby Binturong, Central Park Zoo, Photography Workshop, Sloth, Staten Island Ferry, Staten Island Zoo, travel, wildlife, zoocation, Zoos
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We went to visit our friend, Marc Valitutto the General Curator and Veterinarian at the Staten Island Zoo. Marc gave us a fabulous tour and showed us the amazing changes he has made in this 75 year old zoo. The collection has jumped from 250 to over 350 species and continues to grow. In a few weeks, their two gorgeous Amur Leopards will move into a 4,500 square foot exhibit which will be three stories high – making it one of the largest exhibits in the nation. We met the zoo’s new adorable baby binturong, (smells like popcorn) in the new nursery, which can also be viewed by the public, where we met a young fennec fox, sloth, baby crane and African porcupine. A shout out to Marc for his generosity and continuing great work. The Staten Island Zoo, which proudly calls itself ‘New York’s Biggest Little Zoo’ is a great place to visit. We went via the Staten Island Ferry which in and of itself is a great adventure.
Upcoming fun Photo workshops at the Central Park Zoo:
1. October 20 – 8:30 to 10:30 – Fall Foliage Series – A few spaces left in next Sunday’s guaranteed fun pumpkin/fall foliage extravaganza.
2. November 17 – 8:30 to 10:30 – Grandparents Photo Series – A fun family experience spending time with the tropic zone birds, watching them eat breakfast, taking photographs with your kid(s) .
3. November 24 – 8:30 to 10:30 – Breakfast with the Birds – Spend time with the tropic zone birds, watch them eat breakfast, photography heaven.
Summer’s End at the Central Park Zoo September 15, 2013
Posted by judylobo in Traveling.Tags: Central Park Zoo, Cloud Rat, nature, Patagonian Cavy Baby, photography, Photography Workshop, wildlife, zoocation, Zoos
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Even if it were not getting cooler you can tell summer is just about over from the number of visitors at the Central Park Zoo. We still have nice sized crowds but the summer tourist/camp group invasion is gone. Now is the perfect time to come to the zoo to see the entire collection. The penguin colony has started their seasonal molt and a new baby Patagonian Cavy can be seen at Tisch Children’s Zoo. When visiting the always active tropic zone you can meet our newest adorable resident, a Cloud Rat, in his nocturnal upstairs habitat.
Just one month from now my first Photo Workshop of the season will be held on October 20th from 8:30 to 10:30. Bring your cameras and get ready for some terrific animal activities all before the zoo opens to the general public. Click here for my workshop and many other terrific events.
Game, Set, Match – US Open September 8, 2013
Posted by judylobo in Traveling.Tags: Benny the dog, Central Park Zoo, photo class, Photography Workshop, US Open, Zoos
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I interrupt the usual Sunday zoo photos to bring you shots from the 2013 US Open where I am enjoying a 10 day stint. The action is great, the sun is hot, the rain delays are brutal, but it is a chance for me to watch other mammals strut their stuff. Oh, and yes – that is my dog Benny – prominently featured above today’s photo montage.
A reminder that my Fall Foliage Central Park Zoo Photo Workshop is October 20 from 8:30 to 10:30. I will arrange some special activities so you can get great animal shots. Check out my upcoming photo class along with many other fun things for both adults and kids.
Gus the Polar Bear – In Memorium September 1, 2013
Posted by judylobo in photography.Tags: Arctic Svarlbard, Central Park Zoo, Gus the polar bear, photography, travel, Zoos
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A picture is worth a thousand words is an apt expression for this week’s photo montage dedicated to one amazing polar bear. Gus, the polar bear who lived at the Central Park Zoo, was euthanized this week, at age 27. Inoperable cancer took him away from us – but he left us (it is said over 20 million visitors had seen Gus) with wonderful memories and stories. I was lucky enough to know Gus for 24 of his 27 years. As an ambassador to a dwindling species he (and now deceased companions, Ida and Lily) represented the polar bear with dignity, grace and beauty. He always made me smile and there was never a day at the zoo that my camera was not focused on him. I miss him already. If these few photos are not enough for you, here is a link from a photo montage that I made last February 2nd, in honor of International Polar Bear Day. In memory of Gus, we have booked a trip to Arctic Svalbard to hopefully see polar bears in the wild. Here is a video I made back in 2007 or a younger, Gus enjoying the pool. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RD0Q2E3zwf8 – 4.18.2007
The Staten Island Zoo – Summer 2013 August 25, 2013
Posted by judylobo in Traveling.Tags: African porcupine, Bat-eared fox, fennec fox, marmoset, nature, photography, Staten Island Zoo, travel, wildlife, zoocation, Zoos
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My friend, Marc Valitutto, is the General Curator and Veterinarian at the Staten Island Zoo. Our last visit was in April of 2012 and I was excited to see what has developed. Once again Marc gave us a fabulous tour and showed us the amazing changes he has made in this 75 year old zoo. The collection has jumped from 250 to over 350 species and continues to grow. In the fall, their two gorgeous Amur Leopards will move into a 4,500 square foot exhibit which will be three stories high – making it one of the largest exhibits in the nation. We met the zoo’s new adorable bat-eared foxes, servals, baby marmosets, and toured the new nursery, which can be viewed by the public, where we met a young fennec fox, ground hog, sloth and African porcupine. A shout out to Marc for his generosity and continuing great work. Visiting the Staten Island Zoo, which proudly calls itself ‘New York’s Biggest Little Zoo’ is a great place to visit. We went via the Staten Island Ferry which in and of itself is a great adventure.
The Summertime Yawns August 18, 2013
Posted by judylobo in Traveling.Tags: Benny the dog, Central Park Zoo, Gus the polar bear, photography, sea lion, snow leopard, Snow Monkey, wildlife, Zoos
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Those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer bring on those summer time yawns. Catching and then photographing one of the Central Park Zoo animals mid-yawn is always fun. Oh, there is one beautiful face that does not belong today – can you find him?
Happy 25th Anniversary to the Central Park Zoo August 4, 2013
Posted by judylobo in Traveling.Tags: 25th anniversary, Central Park Zoo, city zoos, fall foliage, nature, NYC, photography, Photography Workshop, travel, wildlife, zoocation, Zoos
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Happy 25th anniversary to the Central Park Zoo. There has been some type of animal collection at the zoo’s present site since the 1860s , but our precious zoo celebrates its rebirth as part of WCS’ three City Zoos on August 8th. Some of our amazing animal collection (and me) have been around the whole time. Happy Anniversary to us! Come visit.
The Fall and Winter Zoo classes and workshops are available on line for you to peruse and to sign up. There are two adult photo classes (Breakfast with the Birds and a Fall Foliage workshop) and a grandparents/kids photo class running in the fall and winter. Check out my photo workshops and the array of other choices available for your family and friends. Come join the fun.
While at the Zoo 