My Favorite Five – “Thanksgiving Day Surprises”

My Favorite Five – “Thanksgiving Day Surprises”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

Before I post my “top nine for 2021” photo on Instagram, I wanted to post my favorite five posts from 2021 and see the difference. 

Here they are……  

Backstory:

I’ve saved the life of many animals. It brings me great joy! 

Two baby cardinals fell from a nest and I rescued them. I saved the life of an Eastern red bat, a baby bunny from the jaws of a cat, and now, the life of a duck. Better yet, it was Thanksgiving Day.

I went to a local pond on St. Simons Island, Georgia to see if the hooded mergansers migrated yet. They were not there, but I enjoyed watching the ducks on the shore. 

One duck it particular had several other ducks around it under the brush. I wondered if she was laying an egg. 

As I was driving away, I noticed two goats following a gentleman on a motorized scooter. I stopped to speak to him. How often do you get to see a goat on the island?

His name is Doc. He mentioned the ducks would lay their eggs on the bank of the pond, but raccoons and other animals eat the eggs. He and another lady would gather the eggs. She bought two incubators to hatch them. 

I might know where an egg is. A smile lit my face as I looked down under the brush and found an egg. I was delighted. Doc said, “It’s still warm.” 

Doc took the lady the egg. I was quite ecstatic!

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

https://www.judyroyalglennphotography.com

I'd love for you to follow me on Instagram also:

https://www.instagram.com/judyroyalglennphotography/

My Favorite Five – “Ma, This Christmas Tree!”

My Favorite Five – “Ma, This Christmas Tree!”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

Before I post my “top nine for 2021” photo on Instagram, I wanted to post my favorite five posts from 2021 and see the difference.

Christmas is not about picking the perfect tree—it is about Jesus born in a manger over 2000 years ago. He came to this earth to die on a cross for our sins. If we trust in Him and accept Him as Lord and Savior, we can be with Him in Heaven when we die.

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 Lord of your life. (1 John 1:9)

Here they are……

Backstory:

Cubs are so cute to observe as they explore their new environment. This cub was no exception.

He first used his sense of smell and inhaled the aroma of the fir needles. He began to play with the branch, then became unstable and slipped off the log onto the forest floor.

Christmas was far away, but he wanted to pick out the Christmas tree early.

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

https://www.judyroyalglennphotography.com

I'd love for you to follow me on Instagram also:

https://www.instagram.com/judyroyalglennphotography/

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

My Favorite Five – “Thankful”

My Favorite Five – "Thankful”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

Before I post my “top nine for 2021” photo on Instagram, I wanted to post my favorite five posts from 2021 and see the difference. 

Here they are……  

Backstory:

I am thankful the Lord created so many beautiful animals for us to see. His nature is amazing.

I also love the way He works. Last year, a total stranger mentioned seeing a fox which led me to her!

Isn’t she gorgeous? 

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

https://www.judyroyalglennphotography.com

I'd love for you to follow me on Instagram also:

https://www.instagram.com/judyroyalglennphotography/

My Favorite Five – “Giddyup, Mama!”

My Favorite Five – “Giddyup, Mama!”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

Before I post my “top nine for 2021” photo on Instagram, I wanted to post my favorite five posts from 2021 and see the difference. I thought I would post them here too. 

Here they are……  

Backstory:

Once in a while, you get a special opportunity when out photographing. A black bear and her cubs graced my presence. They meandered about on Sparks Lane for a while. I parked my car at the top of the hill and Hazel and her cubs decided to walk near it. 

While I was photographing her, I noticed another set of ears popping up on her back. One of her cubs climbed on her back and told her, “Giddyup, Mama!”

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

https://www.judyroyalglennphotography.com

I'd love for you to follow me on Instagram also:

https://www.instagram.com/judyroyalglennphotography/

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

“Kung Fu Fighting”

“Kung Fu Fighting”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

This spring, these black bear cubs had a blast in Cades Cove on their field trip as they were kung fu fighting on top of a log. They also got to climb trees, play peek-a-boo, pick out a Christmas tree, sneak attack their siblings, sleep in a tree, nurse on Mom’s rich milk, play follow the leader on a log, cross the road safely, and observe those funny humans while peering through weeds as tall as they were. 

These little ones were playing right before the Missionary Baptist Church. They were putting on a show. Boy did they create quite a bear jam that day! 

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

A Whale of a Bear!

“A Whale of a Bear!”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

Last year, it was nearing Thanksgiving, and I went to Cades Cove. I hadn’t photographed too many critters that I thought worthy of sharing until I came upon one of the largest bears I have ever seen in the Cove.

The bear was sitting under a walnut tree fattening up winter by eating walnuts. There was quite a crowd, but nothing deterred the bear from eating.

Once, the bear stood up next to the tree, and it showed its scale. I’m not good with identifying the bears. 

Does anyone know for certain which one this is, and did you see it?

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

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

“A Blustery Day in Cades Cove” - Cades Cove Closed Yesterday Due to Downed Trees

“A Blustery Day in Cades Cove”

Cades Cove Closed Yesterday Due to Downed Trees

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

Yesterday was blustery in Cades Cove, Tennessee, so much so that the Cove shut down to keep everyone safe.

The wind was so strong that it knocked me to and fro. I have never been in such strong wind. I can’t imagine what the wind gusts were.

I spent hiking, and I found two does eating seed pods. This photo is not spectacular, but I wanted to tell the story of the strong wind by choosing a photo that showed leaves flying everywhere. 

 As I was traveling down Hyatt Lane, I noticed a long line of cars near Dan Lawson. I thought it was a bear jam and decided to turn around. I was so excited because there weren’t many cars!

Once I got to the Visitor Center, I noticed cars were going up Loop Road the wrong way and parking in the parking lot.

I talked to two of my favorite volunteers, Nancy and Dave, and found out Cades Cove Loop Road and Laurel Creek Road were closed due to downed trees that had fallen on the road. There was also an injury and property damage which I assumed were cars.

Well, when given lemons, make lemonade. I saw two photography friends I hadn’t seen in a year. We had a picnic in their car and chatted. My friend stayed in the car with their older dog while her husband and I walked down the open road to hike and see if we saw any critters. 

The only interesting we saw were three Wooly Bear caterpillars crossing the road. They would have probably gotten squished if the cars were

 traveling on the road.

By the time we got back, the road was clear, and everyone had to exit the Cove.

I have several videos of the day on my Instagram account if you would like to see the fall color and a video of the wind. I also took pano shots of the mountains:) Visit my Instagram.

Were you there yesterday?

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

A Good Ole’ Fashion Whoopin’

“Black Bear Cub Gets a Good Ole’ Fashion Whoopin’”

The Rest of the Story – Part II

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

Last week someone requested I post another photo of the sleeping bear in Cades Cove, so here it is. The incident caused the biggest “bear jam.” My story told of the bears getting bored because the mamma bear did not want to share the walnuts she cracked open.

One cub learned the lesson of not bothering mamma’s food the hard way and got a good ‘ole fashion whoopin.’ The swift discipline happened in the blink of an eye with no warning. Leaves were flying!

I did not think but just held down the camera’s shutter and took a series of photos. Meanwhile, the sleeping cub raised his head to check out the commotion.

Terror could be seen in the disciplined bear’s eyes as mamma’s claws dug into his fur. It was a moment he will never forget.

I wish I could see her head to see what she was doing. Maybe she was giving him a firm bite. At least I got the expression on the cub’s face.

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

It’s Their Home

“It’s Their Home”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

Late yesterday afternoon in Cades Cove turned into a long line of cars because a bear family stayed in the road. One cub even tried to sleep on the road.

The line of cars backed up to the entrance to Cades Cove Loop Road. I didn’t want to get in the traffic but decided to in hopes of photographing bears. To make the situation merrier, I turned on Christmas music and had a jolly ride.

The staff tried to manage the problem the best they could to keep the bears and visitors safe. 

One by one, visitors managed their cars as instructed by the staff. Some had to stop or move their car around the bears.

Others honked their horns as directed to encourage the bears to move.

The mamma bear was not excited to share the walnuts she cracked open. One cub was scolded with a sudden snare and body pounce as he got too close to her meal. So, the cubs were bored and wandered around or rested.

Two cubs started trotting down the road. People were scattered around so they cleared the way. Soon mamma bear and another cub pursued. They walked down the road to another walnut tree. The mamma ate as two cubs climbed the tree. The excitement ended as they walked into the woods and disappeared.

We as visitors can’t complain about the long line of cars. I sat in it for at least an hour. Cades Cove is their home—we are just visitors. 

Now you know the rest of the story. 

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

Monarchs Falling From Heaven

“Monarchs Falling From Heaven”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

I am in love with monarch butterflies and have been since I started raising them.

While I was in Cades Cove on Friday, I found a patch of white flowers. There were monarchs everywhere! I gasped and almost started crying.

 It was as if they were dropping out of the sky from nowhere. The monarchs are migrating to Mexico and must have crossed over the mountain and said, “Look, there is Cades Cove! Let’s go there!”

Have you seen them migrating through in the last few weeks?

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

Snap, Crackle, Pop!

“Snap, Crackle, Pop!”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

A baby black bear was high in the cherry trees in Cades Cove, Tennessee. He was so high a mountain was visible in the background.

The mamma bear and her cubs enjoyed feasting on the cherries for quite a while. Mamma bear ripped apart the large limbs with her mouth, so she could pull the branch loaded with cherries within reach.

Amazingly, the bears know which branches will hold their weight. Meanwhile, they were snapping and crackling the branches and popping the cherries in their mouths.

Have you ever seen the bears up so high?

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

The Time Has Come

“The Time Has Come”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

Spring, summer, and early fall are always my busiest seasons of the year. I am already active with my wildlife and nature photography, especially photographing black bears. But the activity that keeps me busiest is raising monarch caterpillars.

I am doing whatever possible to save the monarchs. If it means going into tall fields and collecting eggs while I get tons of chiggers, I’ll do it. By the way, that happened this summer.

But the time has come for them to start their migration to the Sierra Madre Mountains of Mexico. Millions of monarchs will congregate there for the winter. One day, I will meet them there!

People wonder how they make that long, arduous journey when they seem so fragile. Well, I know the answer—it is God. He created all the critters I so enjoy. God wired them to know where to go to escape the cold winter in Eastern North America.

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

https://www.judyroyalglennphotography.com

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

Keep your eye to the sky. Have you seen them? If so, where?

Hangin’ Out Until Cades Cove Re-opens

“Hangin’ Out Until Cades Cove Re-opens”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

Part II - If you were wondering what the bears are doing while Cades Cove is closed…they are “Hangin’ Out.”

The wait is almost over for the Cades Cove Loop road to re-open due to repaving. Tomorrow, September 28, the Cove should re-open. Fingers crossed! 

The bears “told” me they have been hanging out and having a lot of fun. They sure missed us though:)

Backstory: In May, I found a bear while walking in the woods with friends. We found out the bear was a female when she crossed the road and called down her cubs from a tree. It was precious. This photo shows one of the cubs coming down.

 I named the mama bear Pepe. Pepe nursed the cubs, then they were on the move—fueled and ready to go. They crossed the road safely because a car stopped for them. 

They caused quite a commotion. The cubs played follow the leader on a downed tree, had a sumo wrestling match, peered at the tourist while standing on their hind legs, climbed up and down trees, and even picked out a Christmas tree for the family.

Pepe then “treed” the cubs a.k.a. told them which tree to climb and stay in. She then took a nap on a downed moss-covered tree. They finally crossed the road and disappeared.

It was an amazing day. I was happy that so many others were able to see the bears!

Are you ready to go back to the Cades Cove and see them again?

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

Wildlife and Nature Photography for Sale

"Wildlife and Nature Photography for Sale"

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

 

As you know, my favorite thing to photograph is black bears. I will photograph anything the Lord puts in front of me to photograph.

But you may not know I have a website and my work is for sale. I sold two photos of the Queen Anne’s lace recently—photo shown bottom right.

This collage of photos shows the main page of my website, a sample of some of the many galleries, a helpful tool showing how different size photos appear on a wall, and it shows a few of my latest photos.

I would love for you to visit my site. Which is your favorite photo? 

www.judyroyalglennphotography.com 

Please share this post with your friends. Thank you very much!! 

Happy Fall Y’all!!