A Magical Morning

“A Magical Morning” - December 30, 2025

Judy Royal Glenn Photography 

I knew it was coming. I looked towards the mountains and saw white coming our way. 

     "Wait here for five minutes. We’re gonna see a snowstorm," I told my friend. 

We drove to the John Oliver, and here it came. It snowed and snowed and snowed. It snowed for two hours. 

It was 9:53 a.m., and I could have gone home—I was filled with joy.

What was the chance of snow? I don't know, but in Alcoa it was 2%.

Jesus answered my prayer. He is so good to me, even when I don’t deserve it. Jesus, you are so amazing!

     “It was so great seeing your snowflakes today,” I said to Him. 

My friend and I enjoyed walking in the snow when I took this photo. I was giddy as a school kid.

     I kept saying, "Thank You. Thank You. Thank You."

Happy New Year!! May the Lord bless you immeasurably this year.

Please feel free to visit my website to purchase nature photography.

https://www.judyroyalglennphotography.com/

 

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

“Balloon Bear”

“Balloon Bear” 

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

Friday was a fantastic day in Cades Cove, Tennessee. My friends and I pray before we go out and photograph. I pray for the Lord to show or bring to me what He wants me to photograph. 

The day started with a bang and ended with one. 

I didn’t know the park now featured balloon bears for the visitors to see. It is as though someone put a straw in his mouth and blew him up. That’s one ginormous bear!

He said, “Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.”

Please feel free to visit my website to purchase nature photography.

https://www.judyroyalglennphotography.com/

 

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

 

“Do You Smell What I Smell?”

“Do You Smell What I Smell?”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

I thought this title matched the tune of “Do You Hear What I Hear?” by Ed Ames.

I had a blast at the Cove last week, running around in the hoarfrost, and enjoyed photographing the bucks who were looking after their girls. Everywhere you turned, there was a buck. What made the day more enjoyable was photographing with friends.

Even though it was cold, I had to stop and get an ice cream cone at the campground store!

Please feel free to visit my website to purchase nature photography.

https://www.judyroyalglennphotography.com/

 

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

 

"A Memorial Butterfly Release"

"A Memorial Butterfly Release"

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

It was an honor to release a monarch butterfly for a dear friend who recently lost her husband. He served in Vietnam, was a godly man, and was an awesome cook.

He suffered quite a bit, but never complained.

     When I would ask him how he was doing, he would say, “I’m doing okay.” 

     I’d reply, “I look forward to the day when you can say, 'I’m doing good.’” 

That day never happened, but he is in Heaven and praising his creator today. He is whole and running the streets of gold.

I will miss you, dear one, and look forward to our reunion.

 

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

https://www.judyroyalglennphotography.com 

“Sniff, Sniff, Sniff”

“Sniff, Sniff, Sniff” — September 11, 2025

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

Three little bear cubs stood in the middle of a field. Mama bear was nowhere to be found. 

The cubs didn’t keep up with her like they were supposed to, so they tried to sniff and find her scent. 

They finally found her scent and bounded over Cades Cove Loop Road into the woods where they reunited with mama bear:)

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

https://www.judyroyalglennphotography.com/

 

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

“Such a Delight”

“Such a Delight”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

 

On June 24, in Cades Cove, I was standing on Hyatt Lane when I saw two spring cubs playing on a log. The next thing I knew, Ma came. Ma and the cubs walked across a downed tree one by one, oh, there are three cubs. They stayed hidden in the brush. It was such a delight watching them.

 

I met several families that day, including a young girl named MacKenzie. I love letting young people see the bears from the back of my camera. They are delighted, too.

 

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

https://www.judyroyalglennphotography.com/

 

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

"Patty-cake"

"Patty-cake"

Judy Royal Glenn photography

I noticed a large ripple as I passed a creek in Cades Cove, Tennessee. I didn’t see anything at first but upon further inspection, I saw two spring cubs with their mom cooling off from the hot sun.

I couldn’t believe my eyes, and my hand was over my mouth in awe.

My usual prayer is for the Lord to show me or bring to me what he wants me to photograph. He blesses me all the time!

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

https://www.judyroyalglennphotography.com/

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

"Lost"

"Lost" - June 24, 2025

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

This is a story of two lost bear cubs in Cades Cove, Tennessee in the Great Smoky National Park.

 

One hot summer day in June, Ma Bear enjoyed a nice cold dip in the Cades Branch Stream. Meanwhile, her cubs were eating grubs found in the dread tree stump and chasing grasshoppers.

 

“Hey, where did Ma go?” one cub asked.

 

“I don't see her anymore.”

 

“She told us to stay near.”

 

“It's your fault for chasing that grasshopper.”

 

“You followed!”

 

“Look at this mess we got ourselves into.”

 

“Now, what are we supposed to do?”

 

“Let’s sniff for her scent.”

“No scent here.”

 

“There is a road down here. Maybe Ma went this way.”

 

“I am so thirsty, my tongue is hanging out.”

 

The bears searched for over forty minutes while running to and fro.

          

         Tired from searching, one cub said, “I need to sit down.” 

In the distance, a visitor saw Momma Bear bouncing through the tall thicket toward them.

 

         “There she is!” one cub said.

 

         “Where have y’all been?” Ma Bear said.

 

“We’ve been chasing grasshoppers.”

“Sorry, Ma. We promise to stay near you.”

 

“Let’s go,” Ma said.

 

Off to the woods they went—they finally took a long nap in The Tree.

The End.

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

https://www.judyroyalglennphotography.com