Blank Park Zoo – Des Moines, Iowa May 22, 2013
Posted by judylobo in Traveling.Tags: baby animals, Blank Park Zoo, Des Moines Iowa, marine mammals, photography, snow monkeys, travel, wildlife, zoocation, Zoos
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Zoocation 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.
Minnesota Zoo May 19, 2013
Posted by judylobo in Traveling.Tags: Apple Valley, baby animals, Minnesota Zoo, Penguin Chicks, photography, sea otter, travel, vacation, wildlife, zoocation, Zoos
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I 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!
Como Zoo and Conservatory – St. Paul, Minnesota May 15, 2013
Posted by judylobo in Traveling.Tags: Como Zoo, conservatory, photography, St Paul MN, vacation, zoocation, Zoos
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Zoo #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!
Happy Mother’s Day – 2013 May 12, 2013
Posted by judylobo in Traveling.Tags: baby animals, Mother's Day zoo animals, photography, Snow Monkey, travel, wildlife, zoocation, Zoos
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My 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.
A Much Needed Dose of Cute April 21, 2013
Posted by judylobo in Traveling.Tags: baby animals, Benny the dog, Central Park Zoo, photography, wildlife, Zoos
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This 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.
Flip, Flap and Fly April 7, 2013
Posted by judylobo in Traveling.Tags: accredited zoos, Central Park Zoo, nature, Philadelphia Zoo, photography, travel, wildlife, Zoo Lover's Day - April 8th., zoocation, Zoos
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Today’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?
Spring at the Central Park Zoo March 31, 2013
Posted by judylobo in Traveling.Tags: Benny the dog, Central Park Zoo, Gus the polar bear, photography, Photography Workshop, Sea Ducks, Snow Monkey, wildlife, Zoos
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Rarely 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.
San Francisco Zoo – March 2013 March 24, 2013
Posted by judylobo in Traveling.Tags: nature, photography, San Francisco Zoo, sumatran tiger cub, travel, wildlife, zoocation, Zoos
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On our recent trip to California we visited, as always, the terrific, San Francisco Zoo. Unfortunately their new Sumatran tiger cub was not available for the public to see yet – but I do hope to see her when next we visit in June. The weather was perfect and it was fun to see some new exhibits.
Fort Worth Zoo March 20, 2013
Posted by judylobo in Traveling.Tags: Fort Worth Zoo, photography, travel, wildlife, zoocation, Zoos
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Last week’s four day visit to the Ft. Worth/Dallas area was activity packed. We managed to visit the impressive and moving, Sixth Floor Museum (known to most as the Book Depository), the Dallas World Aquarium, the fabulous Kimball Art Museum, the Amon Carter Museum, The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, the very entertaining National Cowgirl Museum , the hokey, but fun, Fort Worth Cattle Drive and the terrific Fort Worth Zoo. The zoo is large, but very accessible to all. The exhibits all have great sight lines for both the casual visitor and the obsessed photographer. They have a great collection and if you are in the area I highly recommend a visit. A special shout out to our Texas hosts, Maureen and Mike, for showing us such a great time. Oh, one more thing – Happy Spring!
Dallas World Aquarium March 17, 2013
Posted by judylobo in Traveling.Tags: Benny the dog, Dallas World Aquarium, photography, rainforest ecosystem, south american rainforest, Texas, travel, wildlife, zoocation, Zoos
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The Dallas World Aquarium is an AZA facility is located in downtown Dallas, Texas. My favorite part of this terrific facility was the seven-story Orinoco Secrets of the River exhibit that highlights the unique bio-diversity of the South American rainforest ecosystem. The culture of the Maya also comes to life in an eight-story Mundo Maya exhibit. Plants and animals prevalent in Mayan folklore are featured in this immersion experience. The highlight is a 400,000-gallon walk-through Cenote exhibit filled with sharks, rays and sea turtles of the Yucatan Peninsula. Black-footed penguins and Shoebill storks also greet us year round in their outdoor South Africa exhibit. If you ever find yourself in Dallas (and I never thought I would) this is a must see stop. Also, for those that clamor for a Benny photo – check him out (above) in his St Patrick’s formal wear.
While at the Zoo 