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St. Louis Zoo – St. Louis, MO June 2, 2013

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kick up your heelsZoocation 2013 ended with a bang at zoo #6 – the all encompassing, totally terrific, St. Louis Zoo.  We did not have any special access at this facility but still managed to spend seven hours wandering around enjoying every minute. The zoo is beautiful, well tended, exciting, with great sight lines for both photographers and casual visitors alike.  There is no doubt we will be back again.  A special shout out to my college roommate Michelle and her husband Allen for being such great hosts while we were in this very special city.  We have already started to plan Zoocation 2013 – Part two, for the fall.

STLOUISZOO

Dickerson Park Zoo – Springfield, MO May 29, 2013

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Hippo funThe penultimate zoo of zoocation 2013 was the fabulous Dickerson Park Zoo in Springfield MO.  A huge shout out to Erin Sorensen and Pam Gwin for making our visit so very memorable.  They were super generous with their time and spirit. We got to feed Henry the hippo, tickle a few black and white ruffed lemurs, hold a joey and nuzzle an Aldabra –  memories that will last a lifetime.  This zoo packs a big punch and if you are in the area I urge you to visit.

DICKERSON

Kansas City Zoo – Kansas City, MO May 26, 2013

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Kansas City Zoo MeerkatZoo #4 on zoocation 2013 was the enormous Kansas City Zoo.  A special shout out to Tim Steinmetz , KC Zoo’s Animal Curator for giving us such a warm welcome upon our arrival.  His tips helped us to navigate and save some steps. The zoo has almost every species you might expect and their soon to open state of the art penguin exhibit cries out for a return visit.

KANSASCITYZOO

Blank Park Zoo – Des Moines, Iowa May 22, 2013

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BLANKPARKPANDAZoocation Zoo #3, the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines, Iowa was a delightful 22 acre surprise.  Lots of terrific habitats, including adorable baby snow monkeys, free range joeys and active marine mammals. Their Africa Savannah was not quite open due to recent flooding but when it is open the zoo will be even better.  If you are in the area – I recommend a visit.

BLANKPARKZOO

Minnesota Zoo May 19, 2013

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Baby PenguinI credit good friend Jamie with our idea for zoocation 2013, when she relocated to the Minnesota Zoo, to become their Bird Supervisor.  Zoo #2 on was an all access pass with Jamie and her colleagues as they showed us their fantastic zoo. We got an up close and personal visit with their two adorable penguin chicks, a behind the scenes visit in the enormous tropics trail aviary, the Grizzly coast, the sea otter area, Minnesota trail and much more.  Looking forward to revisiting with Jamie in the coming years as we watch this already enormous zoo grow bigger and better. A big Lobo shout out to Jamie!

MINNESOTAZOO

Como Zoo and Conservatory – St. Paul, Minnesota May 15, 2013

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arctic fox-como zooZoo #1 on last week’s zoocation was the small and jam-packed Como Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul Minnesota.  Lots of ongoing construction promises future visitors an even greater experience.  Did I mention that it was snowing in Minnesota in May?  Yikes!

COMOZOO

Happy Mother’s Day – 2013 May 12, 2013

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snow monkey baby and motherMy mother, Lillian Wolfe, is long gone, but her advice, warnings and general ‘Lili-isms’ live on in my daily life.  She taught me to fight the good fight and to write letters to City Hall when I was pissed. She also gave me my moral compass – one glance from Lillian told me instantly whether my 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 and all of the other mothers, caregivers, nurturers, pamperers, surrogates and loving coddlers out there.  You make it all work. And a huge salute to all of the Zoo mothers in today’s photo montage.

Zoocation 2013 has come to an end.  It was a zoo-sastional. Stay tuned to see six new montages from our latest zoo-venture.

MOTHERSDAY2013

A Much Needed Dose of Cute April 21, 2013

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ducklingThis past week was filled with many bad, sad and depressing news stories. I thought that everyone could use a Sunday ‘dose of cute’.  Hope these photos (all taken at the Central Park Zoo) put that smile back on your face.

To add to your smile factor, check out a recent photo of Benny the dog, below today’s montage, with his favorite (albeit shredded) toy, Mr. Koala.

DOSECUTE

Benny the Cute

Flip, Flap and Fly April 7, 2013

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Red-Crested TuracoToday’s beautiful animals were all photographed at my favorite zoo, the Central Park Zoo. Enjoy!

Tomorrow, April 8th, is Zoo Lover’s Day.
– It is estimated that over 600 million people visit zoos each year.
– There are more than 2,800 zoos and aquariums in the world.
– Germany has more zoos than any other country – 414!
– The US has more than 350 zoos. The total number of AZA accredited zoos and aquariums is 221.
– Over 30 US zoos have more than 1 million visitors a year. Disney’s Animal Kingdom has the most with 9.5 million visitors each year.
– The Philadelphia Zoo is the oldest zoo in the US. It opened on July 1, 1874.
– The oldest running zoo in the world is the Vienna Zoo in Schonbrunn. It was founded in 1752.
– With over 1,500 species, Germany’s Berlin Zoo has the largest variety of animals in any zoo in the world.
– The largest zoo in the US is Red McCombs Wildlife with over 12,500 acres.

Why not go out and visit your favorite Zoo, enjoy the outdoors and see some amazing animals?

FLIPFLAPFLY

Spring at the Central Park Zoo March 31, 2013

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the easter bennyRarely a holiday goes by (whether we celebrate it or not here at Casa Lobo) that doesn’t cry out for a new hat that Benny the dog can wear. Enjoy this year’s Easter Benny..

Spring has sprung at the Central Park Zoo. The flowers are waking up after a long winter, and our animals are more active than ever.  Come visit us.

Our Breakfast with the Birds class (April 28th) is sold out but there are a few spaces left in our Family Program, Images in Spring (Sunday, April 14th from 9 to 10:30).  This family program is designed for parents and kids to share a photo adventure before the zoo opens. Click here for details and to sign up.

CPZSPRING2013