Saturday, March 9, 2024

“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 

Monday, February 26, 2024

“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

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

“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

Monday, February 12, 2024

“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


Monday, February 5, 2024

“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

Tuesday, January 23, 2024

“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

Friday, January 12, 2024

“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

Friday, January 5, 2024

My best of nine for 2023…

My best of nine for 2023…

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

 

My best of nine photos I posted this year showcase the beauty and splendor of Cades Cove. Funny how all my top images were taken in the Cove. The Cove is my second home. I feel close to God while outside in the beauty He created.

 

These photos bring back so many memories—that’s what I love about photography!

 

The top middle photo is a video of three cubs strolling down Loop Road with their momma. The two deer photos are the same because a hub on Instagram shared my picture on their hub.

 

I wanted to wish all my followers a wonderful and blessed New Year! THANK YOU for taking the time to like and comment on my work!! If you are not following my Facebook photography page, I’d love for you to like and follow my page (Judy Royal Glenn Photography). ~ Judy

 

#Christianphotographer #Jesusfollower #Christfollower 

#Christianphotography #Godscreation #Godscreationisamazing #forHisglory #naturephotographer #naturephotography #wildlifephotography

#CadesCove #CadesCoveTennessee #wildlifephotographer


 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

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

“Mommie & Me” – My Favorite Nine

“Mommie & Me” – My Favorite Nine

Judy Royal Glenn Photography


One of my favorite nine photos posted in 2023 ...

 

Before I post my “top nine for 2023” photo this year, I wanted to post my favorite nine posts from 2023 and see the difference. I just couldn’t narrow it down to six this year. One bear pic was a video, and two photos were featured therefore shown twice. I hope you enjoy the photos!

 

Here is the last one……

 

Want to take a Caribbean vacay and not pay a dime? I’ll take you on one for free by letting you see through my lens during my vacay.

 

Stay put. We went on a 14-day trip to the eastern Caribbbean, andI took 11,403 photos—it’s gonna be a long trip!

 

We loved our stay in St. Kitts. We took a whale and dolphin excursion, and it did not disappoint. I prayed and asked the Lord to bring them to us.

 

One crew member said they had an 80 to 85% success rate of finding them. The Lord blessed us immensely on our trip. It was 100 million percent.

 

There were about six of us younger folk, and we rode on the bow of the boat. It's funny how a couple next to us has a cabin in East Tennessee, and they love the Lord. He sent videos and pictures to his grandkids and his 4 1/2-year-old granddaughter. She said, “Where do the baby dolphins put their toys?” He said, “In a coral toy box.”

 

The front of the boat was rocky, but it was the best place to see the dolphins because you could look to the right and left within a small radius.

 

We saw pilot whales and several pods of bottlenose dolphins. Two Pilot whales ride beside our boat for a while, and one pod of dolphins swim right towards us.


Paul, once again, was my spotter. It’s extremely hard to photograph a moving target while looking through what seems like a pair of binoculars. The dolphins stay above water for a very short time, but I set my new camera on the fastest frame rate—120 frames per second. Wow! In one shot, I got a mama dolphin and her baby breaching simultaneously.

 

We figured it out by using the hands of a clock to let me know which direction they were swimming.

 

I didn’t like photographing in the sun—it cast white on the waves. I wish I had my polarizer, which would’ve taken that out. It is what it is. I enjoyed getting a few shots of the landscape of St. Lucia in the background.

 

The excursion was beyond amazing because the Lord answered my prayer once again.


Please feel free to visit my website:

https://www.judyroyalglennphotography.com/

 

St. Lucia, West Indies in the eastern Caribbean

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