Little Cub—Big Forest

“Little Cub—Big Forest”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

Black bears were first on my agenda to photograph when I moved to Tennessee two and a half years ago. I love them so much and look forward to photographing the spring cubs this year.

 These were the cubs I wrote about that were playing kung fu fighting on a log, and then they picked out their favorite Christmas tree. This photo was taken in May 2021. In case you miss those blog posts, the links can be found here and here.

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 Up

 “Look Up”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

I love to hike in the woods and open fields of Cades Cove. There is so much beauty to be found. There are still so many trails I have not hiked—so much to do in so little time.

So many times, I forget to look up, because well, that’s where bears are sometimes. Mama bear needs to sleep or forage for food, so she trees her cubs. They know to stay there until she calls them down.

My friends and I were hiking in the woods, and right when I said, “We need to look up,” there they were—three ginormous cubs resting in the tree.

I took a lot of shots and had a hard time deciding which one to post. I like this one because one bear is looking up.

I wanted this photo to reflect what I wanted to say. The last two years have been challenging for everyone. Covid has wrecked so many families by taking their loved ones away. I am sorry if your loved one passed away.

 Some people look for other things to soothe them and remove their pain. Only, the pain returns. The numbness only lasts a while.

One thing I can tell you is Jesus will gladly take your pain. I know, trust me. His outstretched arms reach forward to welcome you into His arms. He has brought me through so much and has always been by my side.

One morning when I first awoke, the Lord gave me a word. At the time, I didn’t need it. It was a gift I needed in the future. Hopefully, it will encourage you.

When there is not enough. . . there is I AM! 

Psalm 34:18 states, “ The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saved those who are crushed in spirit. 

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

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 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

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

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

Giddyup, Mama!

“Giddyup, Mama!”

~ A bear cub climbs on his mama’s back ~

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

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 up and said, “Giddyup, Mama!”

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

Ma, This Christmas Tree!

“Ma, This Christmas Tree!”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

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 is 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

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

Curlicue

“Curlicue”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

 

Hiking on the trails in Cades Cove are always fun. A lot of times I come up empty-handed and don’t see any wildlife—sometimes I hit the jackpot.

 

I hiked on a trail with a friend where there had been bear activity. Before long, we ran into a sow and her cubs.

 

It had been raining, and I did not notice the impact the rain had on the cub’s hair when photographing him. When I edited the photo, I noticed he looked like he had just gotten a perm along with the fern in front of him. I could not have planned that any better.

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

Brown Heart

"Brown Heart"

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

Here is a short story of how two mushrooms lead to photographing a mama bear and her four cubs.

While deep in the woods of Cades Cove with Paul, my husband, and Darwin, a photographer friend, I stopped to photograph two mushrooms. Darwin busied himself photographing a stump as Paul rested leaning on a tree.

Paul heard some rustling behind him and turned to find a mama bear standing on her hind legs not far away. Paul scampered away to let us let us know.

The mama bear quickly “treed the cubs” (she told the cubs to go up the tree) in front of Paul. Bears use trees as babysitters while the mama forages for food.

Darwin told us that sometimes the mama bear will tree her cubs near humans to protect them from a male bear. Something in the tall brush spooked her. Maybe it was a male bear—she knows they could kill her cubs.  

Two cubs went with mom to forage and two stayed in the tree. Darwin and I left Paul to babysit the cubs in the tree while we photographed the mom and the other cubs. 

I love the brown heart on his face:)

Here are the mushrooms I stopped to photograph. If I had not stopped, we probably would have never seen the bear.

And we all lived happily ever after! 

The End.

Location: Cades Cove, Tennessee