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

Pandemonium

“Pandemonium”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

 

A tranquil spring afternoon unfolded in front of me at Cades Cove, Tennessee. A mama sow and her three yearlings were doing what bears do—foraging for food in the luscious green fields.

 

The bears were causing quite a stir. People were doing crazy things to get the treasured shot. One young lady climbed a tree that we told her had poison ivy on it and she replied, “That doesn’t matter” as she scampered up the tree. Another lady wouldn’t let the bear cross the road and got too up close and personal and the sow bluff charged her.

 

The story behind this shot was even better. A man climbed in a bunch of shrub trees because the grass was quite tall, and it was difficult to get a good shot of the bears. Then it happened. The mama bear and one yearling stood to their feet and another was on alert. The man fell out of the shrubs and it freaked the bears out.

 

The yearling in the bottom of the photo charged half-way to the man. No one knew what was going to happen next. Luckily for the man, the yearling came back.

 

Two of the yearlings shot up a tall tree and one tried to sleep to recover from the scare. Mama bear settled down after standing up once again to assess the scene.

 

Wow! What an encounter!  

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

You’re Not Alone

“You’re Not Alone”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

 

I first noticed this black bear yearling in Cades Cove last year as he was running across the road. My first glance was a bear butt as he entered the woods. Before long, he was in a field sitting all alone.

 

Mama bears give birth in January and stay with their cubs for about 16-17 months. Watching their bond is amazing to witness. She devotes her life protecting them from danger and teaches them what to eat.

 

  The sad part occurs when she must chase them away. June rolls around and it’s mating season. She allows the yearlings to stay in her territory but avoids those areas. When she does encounter them, she chases them away. 

 

Yearlings must figure out things on their own. Eventually, they become confident, independent bears and start a family of their own.

 

The good news is we are never alone. It may feel like it with the quarantine because of the Coronavirus. But God is with us every step of the way. No matter what we have done, he still loves us.

 

God said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

 

I hope you have a “beary” good Memorial Day Weekend!

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

#CadesCove #GreatSmokyMountainsNationalPark #blackbears

                 #CadesCoveBears #GSMNP

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:

www.judyroyalglennphotography.com  

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

“Hide-and-seek”

“Hide-and-seek”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

Playing hide-and-seek with a bear is lots of fun. They are so big and think a tiny twig will hide their massive bodies. Just kidding!!

The real backstory: This momma and her two huge yearlings were out foraging for food in the snow. There was a “bear jam” aka a long line of cars parked on the road, so I knew there was a bear ahead. They were not far off the road and delighted everyone!

I just liked the title with the photo:)

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

www.judyroyalglennphotography.com

Location: Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park 

“Looking Back to 2019” “Wake up Sis!”

“Looking Back to 2019”

“Wake up Sis!”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

I like to look back at the events and happenings in my life after a new year ends. There were a lot of bad things that happened, but I trusted the Lord through every trial.

My husband unexpectedly lost his job in April. Thankfully, he did get a severance package in which he was paid for six months while he looked for a new job. We bounced from city to city for interviews. Of course, my camera came with me as we traveled, and I enjoyed shooting new subjects.

We had to foreclose on our home we lived in for 20 years due to other circumstances.

I could go on about the negative things but instead want to focus on the positives. He got a new job which allowed him to work from home and travel some to Nashville. We had a clean slate and moved to Knoxville, Tennessee.

The Lord provided for us through it all as He always does!!

In November, I saved the life of a duck—that story will come later. I also saved the life of many monarchs by hand raising them.

I tagged over 50 monarchs which will help provide valuable information. I also tested a portion of those monarchs for the OE spore and sent off that information. The OE spore is a detriment to the monarchs.

Bears are my favorite subject to photograph, and I got many neat shots.

I met lots of great people especially while shooting in Cades Cove. I love my life and what I am afforded to do. Wildlife and nature photography are my passion! God is good!

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

https://www.judyroyalglennphotography.com