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"Your reputation was great among the nations for your beauty; it was perfect because of all the gifts I gave you,’” says the Lord God. -- Ezekiel 16:14 ​

"Young Ursus"

This young Black Bear was busily hunting for grubs and bugs in downed timber ; scratching off bark and ripping apart the rotten logs. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the largest protected areas in the eastern United States where black bears can live in wild, natural surroundings.Bears inhabit all elevations of the park. Though populations are variable, biologists estimate that roughly 1,500 bears live in the park. This equals a population density of approximately two bears per square mile.Bears, like humans, are omnivores. Plant materials such as berries and nuts make up approximately 85% of their diet. Insects and animal carrion provide valuable sources of protein for bears. (source NPS)

Black Bear in Cades Cove in Great Smokey Mountain National Park

"Abrams Falls"

​Great torrents rushing over a sandstone cliff – that’s Abrams Falls. The waterfall is named after a Cherokee Chief whose village was once located several miles downstream from the waterfall. It is a short and quite popular hike to the falls. 

Abrams Falls waterfall in Cades Cove in Great Smokey Mountain National Park

"Black Bear in the Blackberries"

Coming down an embankment a mere 30 or 40 feet ahead of our path, he ignored our presence and contentedly picked unripened blackberries from the briers before moving on.

American Black Bear in Black Berries brambles in Cades Cove in Great Smokey Mountain National Park Cades Cove

"CROSSING PATHS"

With such and abundance of wildlife and abundance of park visitors, it isn't an odd thing for the two to cross paths frequently. 

American Black Bear crossing the street in Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Tennesee. Ursus americanus is a medium sized bear native to North America.

Female Black Bear crossing the road behind a truck in Cades Cove in Great Smokey Mountain National Park.

"The Maternal Glare"

This mother Black Bear shot me a suspicious and warning glare as she crossed my path heading back to her two cubs waiting for her behind a tree.

Black Bear in Cades Cove in Great Smokey Mountain National Park

American Black Bear mother and two cubs in Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

"Whitetail in Velvet"

Velvet Whitetail Deer Buck in Cades Cove in Great Smoky Mountain National Park

"BEAUTY AND SOLITUDE"

Although somewhat more busy and crowded than I prefer, there was still no lack of beauty and solitude in Cades Cove. 

Mountain Valley in Cades Cove in Great Smoky Mountain National Park

"Pileated Woodpecker"

I love these large, vocal characters. Perhaps because he (yes, a male, as discerned by his red mustache) is reminiscent of the now vanished Ivory Billed Woodpecker; or perhaps because he reminds me of a boyhood cartoon!

Pileated Woodpecker in Cades Cove in Great Smokey Mountain National Park

"Welcome back!"

Elk once roamed the southern Appalachian mountains and elsewhere in the eastern United States. They were eliminated from the region by over-hunting and loss of habitat. Reintroduction of elk into Great Smoky Mountains National Park began in 2001 when 25 elk were brought from the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area along the Tennessee-Kentucky border. In 2002, the park imported another 27 animals. Today, the elk can be seen foraging through different areas of the park. (Source NPS)

Reintroduced Elk Buck in Cades Cove in Great Smoky Mountain National Park

"Whoooo is watching youuuu?"

Just before dusk, three Barred Owls chased each other through our campsite screeching and hissing. Later that evening, their calls of "who cooks for you... who cooks for youuuuu?" could be heard as we lay in our tent.

"STRUT YOUR STUFF"