The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic meant that so much of New York City had to shut down and close the doors to what makes New York such a joy to live in. While trips to the beaches and woods of the city, not to mention Central Park and its joys, have continued, it seems as if theater, concerts and other soul-satisfying experiences will take a while to return.
Cotton-top tamarin, Central Park Zoo, August 26, 2020
I have been able to return to the New York Botanical Garden, and recently the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo and the Prospect Park Zoo have reopened with timed entries. I joined the Wildlife Conservation Society in August so I can visit the zoos more easily and get to see the wonderful animals again.
Scarlet ibis, Central Park Zoo, August 26
On Wednesday, August 26, I visited the Central Park Zoo and got a nice visit with the penguins, sea lions, snow monkeys, and tropical birds. The snow leopard gave us just a glimpse before pacing out of view, and the grizzly bear was visible but hard to photograph because of the dirty thick plastic window I had to look through to see her.
Grizzly bear, Central Park Zoo, August 26
The highlights of the afternoon were our visits with the snow monkeys, who were enjoying the day pacing their rocks and grooming their companions.
Other zoo highlights included a white-naped crane, a Eurasian eagle owl, a blue-and-gold macaw, the sea lions and king and chinstrap penguins. We looked for the snow leopard, and just saw the tail as the big cat paced out of view.
Before visiting the zoo, we viewed the new statue on Literary Walk (near the Elm Grove, south of Bethesda Fountain). The statue features Sojourner Truth speaking, Susan B. Anthony organizing, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton writing. This is one of those "about time" statues in Central Park, the first depicting nonfictional women (I love the Alice statue, but she is a creation of a man's imagination).
Women’s rights statue, Central Park
After visiting the zoo, we headed to the Pond at 59th Street to see Woody Jr., the amazing wood duck, and a green heron, great egret and great blue heron.
Woody Jr., the new Prince of the Pond, Central Park, August 26, 2020
Woody Jr. at the Pond
Great egret
Green heron under Gapstow Bridge
Great blue heron