Good Job!

“Good Job!”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

A horse sprints gleefully in Cades Cove, Tennessee to meet his buddies at the end of the pasture. 

If you follow my work, you know I love photographing the horses at Cades Cove after they finish their trail rides. The leaves were starting to turn, and I wanted to get some fall color in the background. 

As they bounded towards the last hill, I could see their heads bobbing up and down. They glanced over and saw me–I commended them for their efforts. I said, “Good job” as they galloped past. 

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

www.judyroyalglennphotography.com 

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

Raven

“Raven”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

I went into the woods at Cades Cove, Tennessee hoping to find a particular bear. I meandered through the woods hoping to find her, the pot of gold. I hiked and hiked and hiked. 

Signs of bears were everywhere–a fresh mound of scat, a cleared area beneath a tree, a large rock turned over, and fallen trees shredded to bits. I was encouraged and trudged along.

Three ravens squawked and squawked and kept going farther and farther into the woods. It was as if they were taunting me to go deeper.

I followed them thinking that maybe, just maybe, the Lord was using them to lead me to a bear. “Lord, are you leading me to the bears or are they just being birds?”

I asked the birds, “Where is she?” They just kept squawking.

One of the ravens was just above my right shoulder. If a raven could talk what he was saying was, “Up, up, up!” My legs were throbbing begging me not to go. I was exhausted but continued to follow their lead. Each time I pulled the phone up to record his sounds, he flew away. I wanted to prove what the ravens sounded like.

A very steep embankment was before me. I said, “I’ll go to the top of that hill, and if I don’t see any fresh scat I’m going to come back.”

As I got to the top of the hill there before me was a bear staring me in the face. He had been devouring the acorns on the forest floor and glanced up.

What a treat! I enjoyed watching him and of course taking his portrait. 

Yes, I believe God can still use animals to speak. I named my bear Raven.

I got in my car and said, “I’ll listen to ravens now.” Not far down the road another raven squelched at the top of the tree, but I chose to ignore it. 

Farther down the road, I saw a raven squawking in a thin line of trees and decided to stop. After exiting my car, I walked to the right of the area where I heard him. A few minutes later, a bear dashed out of those woods and crossed the road.

The Lord never ceases to amaze me!

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

www.judyroyalglennphotography.com 

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

Don’t Stack Rocks

“Don’t Stack Rocks”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

Stacked rocks in rivers are pretty to see and photograph. But what people probably don’t know is there is a good reason why they shouldn’t stack rocks.

While photographing in Cades Cove, Tennessee, I saw I sign which addressed this matter. Rocks should not be stacked because aquatic species live under the rocks and use it as their home. 

Citico Darters live and nest under rocks. These fish are federally endangered and are “currently restricted to a single river system in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.” (Quote from Tennessee Aquarium website.)

So instead of taking a pretty photo, save a species:)

FYI, I did not stack these rocks but did place a leaf on them.

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

www.judyroyalglennphotography.com 

Location: Raven Cliff Falls, Cleveland, Georgia

Gone are the Sunflowers

“Gone are the Sunflowers”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

Gone are the sunflowers that brightened the fields of summer—fall is here. Fall brings a new kind of beauty with its brilliant reds, oranges and yellows.

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

www.judyroyalglennphotography.com

Location: Forks of the River Wildlife Management Area, Knoxville, Tennessee

Time to Fly

“Time to Fly”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

Autumn is finally here—I love the cool mornings and evenings. But I have some sadness. The monarchs will be leaving very shortly. 

I have enjoyed their presence since raising them in the spring. My time will now be focused on other things.

It is their time to fly to Mexico—it had to come so they can survive. I look forward to your return!

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

www.judyroyalglennphotography.com

Location: The State Botanical Garden of Georgia, Athens, Georgia