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

“Why I Oughta”

“Why I Oughta”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

 

Black bear cub siblings fight in Cades Cove, Tennessee. - July 6, 2023

 

I took a series of shots of three black bear siblings lounging near a fence on Hyatt Lane. 

 

Momma Bear cleaned one cub, and another cub used the wire fence to floss his teeth. Before you know it, the cub flossing his teeth was tackled, and mayhem started. They began a rastling match and used the wooden pole as a barrier.

 

A cub said, “Why I Oughta…” just as Momma Bear rang the Boxing Bell and told them it was time to go.

 

  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 

"The Star of the Show"

"The Star of the Show"

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

A beautiful tree is the star of the show, blazing with red leaves on Sparks Lane in Cades Cove, Tennessee.

 

Yesterday, there were many beautiful wonders to steal my breath away in Cades Cove. The fall color was stunning. The colors weren't quite peak yet, but that was okay. 

 

As I drove, I talked to the Lord about the trees and said, "You could've made them all green, but no, you gave us eye candy." 

 

I had no expectations to see a bear as my agenda was landscape. But the Lord had that in store for me also!

 

#CadesCove #GreatSmokyMountainsNationalPark #GSMNP #CadesCoveTennessee #SmokyMountains #smokies #GreatSmokyMountains #Christianphotography #Christianphotographer #fallcolor #fallcolors #fallcolors2023 #landscapephotos #landscape

 

Please feel free to visit my website:
https://www.judyroyalglennphotography.com/

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

A Momma’s Work Is Never Done!

“A Momma’s Work Is Never Done!”

 Judy Royal Glenn Photography

 

This summer was a magical time in Cades Cove. With a million cubs running around, it made for a great adventure.

 

The momma bears had a time trying to keep up with all their youngins—man were they growing up quickly and very active.

 

She must be on the lookout for their well-being constantly. By standing, she could better see over the tall grass to find each cub and be on alert for noises and activity around them. 

 

A momma’s work is never done!

 

  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 #blackbear #blackbears #bearphoto #bearphotography #blackbearsofinstagram #GSMNP #CadesCoveTennessee #blackbear #SmokyMountains #Smokies #GreatSmokyMountains #bearsofinstagram #Christianphotography #Christianphotographer #Godscreation #Godscreationisamazing

Way to go, Mindy!

“Way to go, Mindy!”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

Yesterday, a black bear sow and her cubs put on a show for the crowd.

I hope you have a beary good weekend!

People waited hours at Cades Cove, Tennessee, waiting for a bear named Mindy to hopefully feed on walnuts at the base of a tree. Luckily, I did not have to wait long. 

She and her three cubs put on quite a show. One lady said she had waited six years to see that. I enjoyed hearing them talk about seeing her—they were so excited.

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 #blackbearsofinstagram #GSMNP #CadesCoveTennessee #blackbear #SmokyMountains #smokies #bearcub #bearcubs #GreatSmokyMountains #bearsofinstagram #Christianphotography #Christianphotographer #Godscreation #Godscreationisamazing

“Leaping Lizards”

“Leaping Lizards”

 Judy Royal Glenn Photography

A horse races through buttercups at Cades Cove, Tennessee.

 

It’s incredible something so beautiful as buttercups can be so poisonous.

 

I learned buttercups are poisonous. If livestock eats the plant, it blisters their mouths, causes gastrointestinal irritation, and, if ingested in large quantities, can cause death. Livestock are intelligent and get the hint to stop eating it when symptoms immediately occur.

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 #CadesCoveTN #GSMNP #CadesCoveTennessee #smokymountains #smokies #GreatSmokyMountains #horses #horse

“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

“Give Her Room”

“Give Her Room”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

 

The black bear mom was trying to cross the road with her three cubs. Being that I am in the Cove a lot and talk to people, I knew where she likes to cross. I politely asked a group of people to move back and give her room. Some listened, and others did not. 

 

Since it was crowded, she took her cubs back into the woods and reappeared on a hill. Again, knowing she wanted to cross, I said to the group of cars and people, “Give her room. She wants to cross.”

 

One gentleman was parked in the middle of the road with no one in front of him. A long line of cars was behind him. I said, “There are parking spaces right up there.” He replied, “Everyone else is stopped. I’m not doing that.”

 

Momma bear seemed more at ease, and she and her cubs crossed safely. 

 

Sometimes, the traffic is stopped to let the bears cross, especially when the cubs are tiny. This creates a “bear jam.” The next photo I took in 2017 shows why sometimes the traffic isn’t moving.

Please 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 #GreatSmokyMountains #Christianphotography #Christianphotographer #Godscreation #Godscreationisamazing

“Eye of the Tiger”

“Eye of the Tiger”

Three black bears play in an open field.

 

Cades Cove is always magical, but May and June were off the charts. There were bears everywhere. One day, I saw 31 different bears. Bears are my jam!

 

Most sows will have cubs during the odd years—it just works out that way.

 

On May 2nd, three cubs played in an open field. The unseen video frames showed the closest bear body-slammed one cub and had him pinned down for a long time. He was irritated and took his aggression out on his innocent sibling, who was minding his own business. The fight begins.

I miss seeing the cubs when they were tiny.  

 

Please feel free to visit my website:
https://www.judyroyalglennphotography.com/

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

#CadesCove #GreatSmokyMountainsNationalPark #GSMNP #CadesCoveTennessee #SmokyMountains #smokies #GreatSmokyMountains #Christianphotography #Christianphotographer #Godscreation #Godscreationisamazing #landscapephotos #landscape

Breathtaking Views in Cades Cove, Tennessee

“Breathtaking Views in Cades Cove, Tennessee”

Ironweed and goldenrod bedazzle a field on Sparks Lane in Cades Cove, Tennessee.

 

I know you probably have stopped suddenly in Cades Cove because you are mesmerized by the sight before you—I did for this photograph. What a stunning view! 

 

#CadesCove #GreatSmokyMountainsNationalPark #GSMNP #CadesCoveTennessee #SmokyMountains #smokies #GreatSmokyMountains #Christianphotography #Christianphotographer #ironweed #goldenrod #landscapephotos #landscape

 

Please feel free to visit my website:
https://www.judyroyalglennphotography.com/

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

“Blue Supermoon in Cades Cove, Tennessee”

 

“Blue Supermoon in Cades Cove, Tennessee”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

 

I entered Cades Cove, Tennessee, at 6:00 a.m. and abruptly stopped my car. The sight was stunning. The Blue Supermoon hovered over the horses in a field—some horses had not awaken from their slumber. 

 

This photo is a combination of two images. I exposed the sky in one shot and the foreground in another, then blended them together in Lightroom. The moon is still a tad overexposed, but that is okay. 

 

I will always be reminded through this capture of the beauty of Cades Cove!

 

Enjoy!!

Please feel free to share and to visit my website:

https://www.judyroyalglennphotography.com/

 

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

 

#CadesCove #GreatSmokyMountainsNationalPark #GSMNP #CadesCoveTennessee #SmokyMountains #smokies #GreatSmokyMountains #Christianphotography #Christianphotographer #Godscreation #Godscreationisamazing #landscapephotos #landscape #horses #BlueSupermoon #Bluemoon #Supermoon

 

The Closing Act

“The Closing Act”  

- Plus ten angels who came to my rescue -

My friends and I saw so many things in the Cove yesterday. We saw a mama bear with her cubs, which were fighting in the woods. We were blessed to see a deer in velvet, a hawk posing, several coyotes, a flock of cedar waxwings, and butterflies everywhere.

The closing act was a coyote in a freshly mowed field. He was trying to eat the biting flies. They were biting me, too!

The day didn’t go without a few scrapes. While in the picnic area, I backed out of a parking spot and moved forward quickly to find I was on a large rock. I thought no problem. So I pressed the accelerator, to hear scraping. My car wouldn’t move anymore. I opened the door to discover I was stuck on a ginormous boulder.

Tons of men came to the rescue of the distressed damsel. They were my angels.

They tried and tried several different things to get my tire to go back over the boulder. One man suggested calling AAA.

My friend stood and prayed. About five men lifted the front of my car while five men pushed the side of my car until finally it was free. The frame was slightly bent underneath my door—a gentleman popped a piece of sliding back into place. I believe a Heavenly angel lifted the bulk of my heavy SUV.

If you were one of these angels—God bless you for your help. I am greatly appreciative and thankful!!

It was still a great day to be in the Cove!

Please feel free to share and to visit my website:

https://www.judyroyalglennphotography.com/

 

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

 

#CadesCove #GreatSmokyMountainsNationalPark #GSMNP #CadesCoveTennessee #SmokyMountains #smokies #GreatSmokyMountains #coyote #Christianphotography #Christianphotographer #Jesuslover #Godscreationisbeautiful #Godscreationsareamazing #Godscreation #Godscreationisamazing