“A New Creation”

“A New Creation”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

 

The Lord created so many beautiful creatures. Butterflies are one of my favs—monarchs at that.

 

Watching a caterpillar change to a chrysalis and then a chrysalis to a butterfly is an amazing process. Only God can do that.

 

Did you know a caterpillar turns into liquid mush? How can one creature turn into another? Only God.

 

Easter has come and gone, but the Lord’s steadfast love will always endure. He loves you very much and uniquely created you in your mother’s womb. How special you are to Him!

 

He loves you so much that He sent His only son, Jesus, to die on the cross for your sins. But it all had a great purpose: to ensure we have a place with Him in Heaven if we trust and believe in His son as our personal Lord and Savior. 

 

Trusting Him for our salvation is as simple as ABC.

 

 A — Admit that you are a sinner. (Romans 3:23)   

B — Believe that Jesus, God’s only son, was born and died on the cross for your sins. (Acts 16:31)

C — Confess and repent of your sins and ask Him to be the Lord of your life. (1 John 1:9) 

 

Like the butterflies, your new life will be an incredible transformation. “This means that anyone is in Christ; he is a new creation. The old has passed; behold, the new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17, NLT).

 

To purchase wildlife and nature fine art prints, please visit my website:

https://www.judyroyalglennphotography.com

Location: The State Botanical Garden of Georgia

“Stunned or Sleeping?”

“Stunned or Sleeping?”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

Thursday before sunrise, while driving on Laurel Creek, I spotted something tiny in the road in the other lane. I passed by and immediately thought, is that an owl? I had to return to see if it was.

If the object were an owl, I did not want it to get hit by a car. It may have already been hit and just stunned or it could’ve been sleeping, but why wouldn’t an owl be sleeping on the road?

I finally found a place to turn around and returned to the object in the road. As I got closer, I noticed it was a screech owl. Screech owls are only 7 to 10 inches tall.

Since I parked in the middle of the road, I turned on my flashers. I took a video as I approached the owl. The owl never moved. I saw two cars approaching in the other lane, and waved my arms to slow them down and stop. I looked back to the owl. It turned his head, looked at me and flew away.

I was tickled to death. If I didn’t see anything else in Cades Cove, I would’ve been happy as a lark. Over several hours I shook my head at what I saw. I pray before I photograph and ask the Lord to show me or bring to me what he wants me to photograph. I also saw an immature bald eagle, a coyote, a bear, a bat, a wood duck, and plenty of deer and birds.

This morning, I didn’t know it would be to save a screech owl’s life. The Lord blesses me all the time!

Sorry it won't let me upload the video.

 To purchase wildlife and nature fine art prints, please visit my website:

https://www.judyroyalglennphotography.com

 

Location: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

“Who Goes There?”

“Who Goes There?”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

 

One of my favorite photographs to take of black bears is when they are standing on their hind legs. Bears can smell, see, and hear better while standing. Different scenarios play out. A mamma bear may search for her cubs in the tall vegetation, see if a male bear is approaching, or check out the situation.

 

Whatever the reason, I love it when they do so!

 

To purchase wildlife and nature fine art prints, please visit my website:

https://www.judyroyalglennphotography.com

 

Location: Cades Cove, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

 

#CadesCove #GreatSmokyMountainsNationalPark #blackbears #bearphotos #bearphoto #bearphotography #GSMNP #CadesCoveTennessee #blackbear #SmokyMountains #smokies #GreatSmokyMountains 

“Fly! Fly! Fly!”

“Fly! Fly! Fly!”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

 

The Lord blesses me all the time, especially with my photography. I was alone in Cades Cove searching for wildlife when I heard crows mobbing a predator. Mobbing occurs when a group of crows find a predator and call their buddies in to pester them.

 

I went towards the mobbing. Before I got there—short-eared owls took to the air. It reminds me of the wicked witch in the Wizard of Oz, telling the monkeys to “Fly! Fly! Fly!”

 

I was excited to get two owls in the same frame. The crow in my photo had no details—he was a black blob, so I left it that way.

 

There are many reasons people believe crows mob. The crow may be saying, “Hey, this is my turf. I’ve been here all year—you can’t show up for the winter in my area.” The crows then called for backups.

 

They could use mobbing out of self-defense to protect a nest/breeding area. Crows also prey on sleeping birds, so they may alert little birds by drawing attention to the predators. The crows also could want to have fun. Either way, it’s a great way to find owls!

 

I miss them already and look forward to their return!

To purchase wildlife and nature fine art prints, please visit my website:

https://www.judyroyalglennphotography.com

 

Location: Cades Cove, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

 #CadesCove #GreatSmokyMountainsNationalPark #GSMNP #SmokyMountains #smokies 

#GreatSmokyMountains #shortearedowl #raptorsofinstagram #owl #owls #raptors 

“Beauty for Ashes”

“Beauty for Ashes”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

 

*Photo shows a snowy covered Primitive Baptist Church and graveyard in Cades Cove, Tennessee.

 

I love being in Cades Cove when it snows. I love seeing the landscapes and hearing the snow crunch beneath my feet.

 

I took this photo on March 21, many years ago. I so hope it snows next month!  

 

Fingers Crossed!

To purchase wildlife and nature fine art prints, please visit my website:

https://www.judyroyalglennphotography.com

 

Location: Cades Cove, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

“Look at My Cute Baby!”

“Look at My Cute Baby!”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

 

*A baby black bear rides on its mom’s back.

 

Soon enough, the black bear moms will show off their new cubs. 

 

My favorite shot to capture is a cub riding on its mom’s back. She says, “Look at my cute baby!” I can’t wait.

 

To purchase wildlife and nature fine art prints, please visit my website:

https://www.judyroyalglennphotography.com

 

Location: Cades Cove, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

#CadesCove #GreatSmokyMountainsNationalPark #blackbears #bearphotos #CadesCoveTN #GSMNP #CadesCoveTennessee #blackbear #CadesCoveBears

 #bearphoto #blackbearphoto #blackbearphotos

“The Circle of Life”

“The Circle of Life”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography 

*A Northern Harrier, a.k.a. the Gray Ghost, downs a mouse at Cades Cove, Tennessee last week, amidst the scorched landscape from a controlled burn. The landscape seemed other-worldly.

It was neat observing the Gray Ghost soaring through the Cove. As he flew, he banked right and then disappeared behind a hill. I wanted to see where he went, so I topped the hill to see the harrier plucking a mouse—striping it of its fur. Before long, there was a white ring of fur surrounding the harrier.

One day, all will change when Christ reigns over the earth. The Bible states, “The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them.” (Isaiah 11:6, ESV.)

 

To purchase wildlife and nature fine art prints, please visit my website:

https://www.judyroyalglennphotography.com

 

Location: Cades Cove, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

 

#CadesCove #GreatSmokyMountainsNationalPark #GSMNP #CadesCoveTennessee #NorthernHarrier #GrayGhost

“Looking Forward to 2024” – “Gander”

“Looking Forward to 2024” – “Gander”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

 

Backstory:

 

I’ve always wanted to photograph an animal on the tallest hill in Cades Cove—the hill right before Tipton Cabin. I was thrilled to find a doe standing there asking to have her photo taken. I love how the doe is looking out at the vast beauty of the Cove with the mountain in the background.

 

As well as reflecting on the previous year, I look forward to the new year.

 

I would be amiss if I didn’t start by looking at how I look forward to the spring cubs! Cubs are my favorite subject to photograph. I love Cades Cove!!

 

My son, Ashton, is getting married this fall. How exciting:)

 

My daughter, Lauren, is looking into moving closer to us in Tennessee.

 

Finally, our forever home is getting started, hopefully this spring.

 

I know the Lord will be with and guide me whatever comes my way. He blesses my photography immensely.

 

I want to tell you how to make the best decision for this new year. It’s as simple as ABC.

 

 A — Admit that you are a sinner. (Romans 3:23)    

B — Believe that Jesus, God’s only son, was born and died on the cross for your sins. (Acts 16:31)

C — Confess and repent of your sins and ask Him to be the Lord of your life. (1 John 1:9) 

 

Then watch your life turn into something beautiful:)

 

To purchase wildlife and nature fine art prints, please visit my website:

https://www.judyroyalglennphotography.com

 

Location: Cades Cove, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

#CadesCove #GreatSmokyMountainsNationalPark #CadesCoveTN #GSMNP #CadesCoveTennessee #SmokyMountains #smokies #GreatSmokyMountains #whitetaileddeer #whitetaildeer #Wildlifephotography 

#Christianphotography #Christianphotographer

“No chance at all.” Part III - I made it to Cades Cove!!

“No chance at all.” Part III - I made it to Cades Cove!! 

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

I finally made it to Cades Cove for

half a day on Sunday. Laurel Creek was super icy, but they sand-coated the road

to improve it.

 

 Loop Road was immaculate. I went around Loop Road once and spent most of my time photographing and videoing the partially frozen streams. 

 

 This photograph was taken in the picnic area near the restrooms. The partly frozen streams were mesmerizing. The stream was beautiful when I arrived, but the lighting was too harsh, so I returned near sunset. I love the frozen snow around the oval boulder!

 Please feel free to share and to visit my website:

https://www.judyroyalglennphotography.com/

  

Location: Cades Cove, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

“Looking Back to 2023” – In Brilliant Color

“Looking Back to 2023” – In Brilliant Color

 Judy Royal Glenn Photography

 

*The Lord dabbled His paintbrush with many colors to decorate the copper-rumped hummingbird.

 

Each year, I look back at the year behind me.

 

I love my Butterfly Club, which started in spring 2023. I love releasing butterflies with them. They love to name them. 

 

A neighbor found five baby bunnies. A massive storm came in the night before, blowing away their nesting material. They were exposed and vulnerable.

 

Sadly, four passed away. I was able to take one to the Little Ponderosa Zoo and Rescue. He made it!

 

My son moved to Cali in 2023, which made me sad. He is a wonderful son, and I miss him being much closer!

 

Building our dream home was delayed once again. Our old builder added a basement to the house to suit the lot better, but the final cost was way out of our budget! We have a new builder now who has agreed to our every request.

 

As with age, my body is falling apart. I was having breathing issues and found out I have a partially paralyzed diaphragm. I was shooting and walking on ginormous boulders when my foot moved in my boot, causing me to fall. I didn’t know I was hurt.

 

We took a 14-day cruise to the Caribbean in the West Indies. We enjoyed island hopping. We took this cruise because it went to Trinidad, where they have many beautiful species of hummingbirds.

 

Wendell, a wildlife and nature photographer, met and took us to Theodore’s home. There were so many hummingbirds—I stood in awe. I couldn’t even think where to start. I was lost. 

 

I started as I usually do when photographing hummingbirds, pointed my camera at this Verse flower, and waited for a customer to feed. I had a few visitors, including this copper-rumped hummingbird. Luckily, we stayed there a good while, and I got my act together.

 

I am looking forward to all the Lord has in store!

To purchase wildlife and nature fine art prints, please visit my website:

https://www.judyroyalglennphotography.com

#hummingbirdphotography  #hummingbird #hummingbirdlover #hummingbirds 

#Copperrumpedhummingbird #Trinidad