“Memorial Day Tribute”

“Memorial Day Tribute”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

Thank you to the brave men and women who stood up for my rights and sacrificed their lives so that I could have the freedom to do the things I love.

One of the rights I truly love is photographing black bears in Cades Cove, Tennessee. This sweet bear is Hazel, who lives in the Cove. She was foraging in the fields with her cubs. Her tiniest cub, Moe, was out of her sight, so she stood and looked for him and her other cubs.

He quietly appeared out of the brush and climbed on her back. One of my favorite shots is of him riding on her back.

I was also fortunate to photograph one of her cubs on her back in 2021 too!

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

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

Dinner and a Show!

 “Dinner and a Show!”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

This black bear photoshoot was one of the most exciting ones I have done. It’s one I will never forget.

A sow and her two yearlings decided to put on a show. The sow crossed a grassy field and immediately started foraging. The yearlings were reluctant to walk out of the tall grass but soon followed suit. They climbed a walnut tree not even a foot from the road and stayed there for almost an hour. They were not in a hurry! I watched them have dinner and put on a show. 

Of course, they created a massive bear jam, a.k.a., when a long line of cars built up from everyone stopped to admire them.

I hope to get back in the Cove soon as I have a shoulder injury. I haven’t been there for a month:( This photo was taken spring two years ago.

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

“Never Ceasing”

“Never Ceasing”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

The Lord’s grace, and love for me is never ceasing. He knew I have wanted to photograph foxes for two and a half years. I have had a few opportunities, but never like this.

I was able to watch this momma fox and her kits play and play. It was so much fun watching them play fight. They are so adorable!

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

https://www.judyroyalglennphotography.com

Location: Tennessee

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

Some Bunny Loves You

“Some Bunny Loves You”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

Easter is upon us, and it conjures many thoughts and emotions. Children look forward to the Easter bunny bringing a basket full of goodies, while others may take a different slant. 

I personally love Easter because it reminds me of what my Lord and Savior did for me on the cross. Yes, He died a horrific death, but he rose from the grave three days later. He loves us so much!

It’s not about being a good person, doing the right things, or going to church that will grant you access to Heaven. It is having a personal relationship with Jesus. 

Have you asked Him to be your personal Lord and Savior? If you haven’t, it would be the best decision you will make in your entire life.

That’s what Easter is all about:) 

It’s as simple as ABC. A — Admit that you are a sinner. (Romans 3:23)

B — Believe that Jesus, God’s only son, was born and died on the cross for your sins. (Acts 16:31)

C — Confess and repent of your sins and ask Him to be Lord of your life. (1 John 1:9)

“But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. Romans 5:8 

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

https://www.judyroyalglennphotography.com

Location: Oak Ridge, Tennessee

Enough is Enough!

“Enough is Enough!”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

Ears back, snout snarled, eyes locked. She has had enough! 

Her yearling took their play fighting one step too far. Now, is she genuinely disciplining him or just wrestling? I don’t know. I have several photos of the encounter, and at one time, they were standing, and he swatted her face several times. I have a large print of that skirmish framed in my house. It reminds me of that day. I will never forget it!

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

Chip on His Shoulder

       

“Chip on His Shoulder”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

Bear cubs are always in the process of learning. Their moms have the arduous task of teaching them vital skills to survive on their own one day.

Their mom, in this case, is Mindy. Mindy allowed the cubs’ space to explore and search for grubs while she wasn’t too far ahead.

These little rascals climbed all over the logs and had a good time. This particular cub had a chip on his shoulder from digging on the log. I look forward to seeing them soon.

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

All Kinds of Critters

“All Kinds of Critters”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

One of the reasons I love Cades Cove is because of all the critters I can find there. Of course, my favorite critter is black bears. There’s just nothing like them!

There are plenty of other critters in the Cove as well. There are coyotes, deer, all kinds of birds, including two different owls, boars, bobcats, and butterflies. You can’t beat seeing the trail horses run through the pastures after a hard day’s work.

The other reason I love the Cove so much is because of its sheer beauty. It is Heaven on earth.

The photo shows a pileated woodpecker.

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

Journey North 2022

“Journey North 2022”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

The monarch butterflies are inching closer and closer to Tennessee. Someone spotted a monarch in LaGrange, Georgia, on March 6, 2022—that's half-way there. I am so excited!

Why would I bring this up? If you are new to following me, I raise monarch butterflies from egg to releasing the butterfly. I tag them with a special tag from Monarch Watch that tracks their journey back to Mexico in the fall.

To learn more about tagging monarch butterflies, go to: https://monarchwatch.org/tagging/

To see an up-to-date map of the monarch’s migration, go to journeynorth.org and scroll through the maps section until you see “Monarch Adult Sighted.

Have a blessed day!

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

https://www.judyroyalglennphotography.com/

Location: The State Botanical Garden of Georgia, Athens, Georgia

A Moment's Rest

“A Moment's Rest”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

There are many creeks in Cades Cove, Tennessee, where wildlife visit to get much-needed water and food.

Creeks are a great place to find barred owls. They are usually hunting there, but sometimes they need a moment's rest.

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

Stark Contrast

 

“Stark Contrast”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

On January 3^rd, 2022, my friend and I drove the back roads of Townsend looking for things to photograph because Cades Cove was closed. We had the best time.

When I saw a black cow in the pasture in front of me, I started running down a snowy road towards it. You would have thought I saw a bobcat or something more interesting to photograph. I was so excited!

The cow kept walking up the snow-covered bank until he reached the top where another cow was standing. The trees were a snowy white and made for a stark contrast. I was giddy as a schoolgirl!

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

https://www.judyroyalglennphotography.com

Location: Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains

“Bottoms up Buttercup”

“Bottoms up Buttercup”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

On our trip back to Tennessee after Thanksgiving 2020, I wanted to stop at the Oconaluftee Visitors Center in Cherokee, North Carolina, to photograph the elk. When we arrived, the elk came out of the woods towards the large open field—they were everywhere! 

Some of the bulls had ginormous racks, while others had tiny ones. One fairly large calf knelt by his mom and nursed. It was neat to witness. 

We made a full evening out of our adventure. After leaving the elk, we went to Newfound Gap and attempted to photograph the sun, but it decided to hide behind the clouds.

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

https://www.judyroyalglennphotography.com

Location: Oconaluftee Visitors Center in Cherokee, North Carolina

Deep in the Cades-Cove-Acre-Woods

“Deep in the Cades-Cove-Acre-Woods”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

Deep in the Cades-Cove-Acre-Woods cute little cubs will be playing soon. 

I found this little guy’s mom while hiking in the woods one day. She was the mom I photographed lying on a mossy log. These cubs were the ones that picked out a Christmas tree and did kung fu fighting on top of a log while playing in the woods.

I miss them so much and can’t wait to see their beautiful faces!

    Please feel free to share and visit my website:

https://www.judyroyalglennphotography.com/

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

Test, See & Learn

Test, See & Learn

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

Baby bears are always watching and learning from mom. There is so much to observe to get the vital skills needed for survival. She has to teach them everything within the 16-17 months she rears them.

While at Cades Cove, Tennessee, I witnessed a sow test a small branch to see if it would hold her weight. She used her hind leg and grabbed onto an adjacent branch for added security. The cub was there to witness it all. It was quite a sight to see!

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