Showing posts with label bears. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bears. Show all posts

Friday, July 25, 2025

"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

Friday, October 27, 2023

The Longest Bear Jam Ever

 

“The Longest Bear Jam Ever” - October 24, 2023

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

 

My dream shot for Tuesday while I was at Cades Cove was photographing a bear with fall color. I was asking for a lot and knew it was a very long shot, but it was still my desire.

 

I turned left off Hyatt Lane onto Cades Cove Loop Road and was so excited because the traffic was clear. Little did I know I would get into the biggest bear jam ever.

 

The traffic was bumper to bumper, starting at the Missionary Baptist Church. Several times, I turned off my car because I was going nowhere. Once, I got out and started walking to where I thought the beginning of the bear jam began. I glanced down the distant hill, and there was no end in sight, so I gave up.

 

I thought the bear might be at the Visitor Center, so I grabbed my camera and pack and began walking. At the Abrams Trailhead, I noticed many people happily photographing a bear. 

 

The bear was crunching on walnuts at the base of a tree on a hill. Cades Cove Loop Road was below the tree. People were photographing the bear across the road on the other side. Visitors stopped momentarily to see the bear and take a quick shot. 

 

I stayed on the opposite hill most of the time. I saw the fall color and wanted to incorporate it in my shot. At one time, I was photographing while lying on my belly.

 

I took a different angle down the hill on the same side as the bear. I got what I wanted. The Lord is so good to me!

 

If you were stuck in the bear jam, I am sorry. The bear needed to eat to pack the pounds for winter, and people tried to be polite. When you multiply the number of cars by each car staying a tad to take a photo, it equals the longest bear jam I have ever been in.

 

Please feel free to share and visit my website:

https://www.judyroyalglennphotography.com/

 

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

 

#CadesCove #GreatSmokyMountainsNationalPark #blackbears #bearphotos #bearphoto #bearphotography #GSMNP #CadesCoveTennessee #blackbear #SmokyMountains #smokies #GreatSmokyMountains #Christianphotography #Christianphotographer #fallcolor #fallcolor2023

Thursday, September 28, 2023

“Sleepwalking Bear Cub”

“Sleepwalking Bear Cub”
Judy Royal Glenn Photography


One day, deep in the enchanted forest of

Cades Cove lived Momma Bear and her three little cubs. The cubs frolicked and

played hard all morning, biting each other’s ears, toppling over one another,

and pinning them to the ground. They fought so hard they could “bearly” keep

their eyes open.

They took a nap safely in a tree with Momma Bear

below. Momma Bear also grew weary and slept on a mossy-covered log.

“Time to get up and play!” said one cub. The

last cub barely made it out of the tree awake and fell deep asleep at the base

of the tree. He sleepwalked until his brother toppled him to the ground,

snapping him out of his slumber.

The End

 

 Please feel free to visit my website:

https://www.judyroyalglennphotography.com/

 

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

 

#CadesCove #GreatSmokyMountainsNationalPark #blackbears #bearphotos #bearphoto #bearphotography #blackbearsofinstagram #GSMNP #CadesCoveTennessee #blackbear #SmokyMountains #smokies #bearcub #bearcubs #GreatSmokyMountains #bearsofinstagram #Christianphotography #Christianphotographer #Godscreation #Godscreationisamazing

Tuesday, May 17, 2022

When it Rains, it Snores


“When it Rains, it Snores”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

I enjoyed watching two bears snore away a rainy day in Cades Cove, Tennessee. 


The morning started as I was driving, and the mountains appeared closer and closer. I said, “Good morning, mountains. Good morning bears—come and see me!”


I had already prayed and asked the Lord to show me or bring to me what He wanted me to photograph. Seeing sleepy bears and spring cubs made my 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

Wednesday, April 22, 2020

Daydreamer

“Daydreamer”
Judy Royal Glenn Photography

Back in 2017 in Cades Cove, Tennessee, a momma bear named Hazel was hanging near the road with her cubs. The cubs enjoyed playing amongst the trees and shrubs. This little one stopped to daydream.

The cubs are out exploring and haven’t had the chance to experience seeing humans. I’m daydreaming when I will get the chance to meet them. What a better way to celebrate Earth Day by thinking about what I love to photograph most—black bears!! I miss you!!

Happy Earth Day 2020!!

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

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

Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Long-legged Rascal


“Long-legged Rascal”
Judy Royal Glenn Photography

I was all alone at the time when I came upon a yearling on Sparks Lane in Cades Cove. It was August, so he hadn’t been on his own for too long.

There seemed to be a sadness in his eyes. The loving, fun times with his siblings and mom are probably still fresh in his mind.

Location: Great Smoky Mountains National Park 


To purchase wildlife and nature fine art prints, please visit my website:
https://www.judyroyalglennphotography.com

Monday, November 19, 2018

Catnap

“Catnap”
Judy Royal Glenn Photography

I found this black bear high in a tree in Cades Cove, Tennessee. I watched him eat wild cherries for thirty minutes until his tummy was full. A catnap was inevitable!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
He had the hardest time getting comfortable in the crook of this tree and tried about six different positions.

After sleeping thirty minutes, his tummy alarm went off again. I watched him eat for about an hour longer before I left him to see what I could find next.

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

Thursday, September 20, 2018

Sweet Dreams

“Sweet Dreams”
Judy Royal Glenn Photography

Cades Cove, Tennessee is a magical place. If you have never been, I highly suggest it. 

There is an 11-mile loop through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You never know what you will see, but it probably will be a black bear. I’ve also seen deer, turkeys, coyotes, a bobcat, and other wildlife.

This little fellow enjoyed filling his tummy until he got plum tired and took a nap in the crook of this tree. After a short snooze, he was right back at it! 

He picked a good tree right off the loop road where he put on a show for all those passing by. 
01 09 10