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Summer Stretch
While hiking, we saw this male bear sleeping under a tree. From a distance we sat on a log and observed for awhile before he took a big stretch and moved on his way.
Cades Cove
Great Smoky MountainsSummerStretchblack bearsmalewildlifenaturecades covesmokiesgreat smoky mountainsGSMNPMD Hills Photographymdhillsphotography.comsmokies photosgreat smoky mountains imagesmattanddeliahills
From Black Bears and Cubs
Passing Through
Quite often we have bears pass though our property nearly all year long. They come up the side of the hill and go off into the woods. We just happened to be camera ready this time.
Gatlinburg, TNPassingThroughblack bearssummerGatlinburgwildlifenaturesmokiesgreat smoky mountainsGSMNPMD Hills Photographymdhillsphotography.comsmokies photosgreat smoky mountains imagesmattanddeliahills
From Black Bears and Cubs
Wet Dogwood Blooms
A macro image of wet, flowering dogwood blooms in springtime.
Sugarlands
Great Smoky MountainsWetDogwoodBloomssugarlandsCornus floridanaturesmokiesgreat smoky mountainsGSMNPMD Hills Photographymdhillsphotography.comsmokies photosgreat smoky mountains imagesmattanddeliahills
Siesta
A female bear takes a nap in the shade on a hot summer day.
Cades Cove
Great Smoky MountainsSiestablack bearssowU. americanusCades Cove photoswildlifenaturecades covesmokiesgreat smoky mountainsGSMNPMD Hills Photographymdhillsphotography.comsmokies photosgreat smoky mountains imagesmattanddeliahills
From Black Bears and Cubs
Bunny With A Mouthful
As the sun begins to set, an Eastern Cottontail Rabbit enjoys the bounty of nature.
Gatlinburg, TNBunnyWithMouthfulEastern CottontailGatlinburgwildlifenaturesmokiesgreat smoky mountainsGSMNPMD Hills Photographymdhillsphotography.comsmokies photosgreat smoky mountains imagesmattanddeliahills
Moseying
A female black bear moseys down the lane on a warm day in the Cove.
Cades Cove
Great Smoky MountainsMoseyingblack bearssowCades Cove photoswildlifenaturecades covesmokiesgreat smoky mountainsGSMNPMD Hills Photographymdhillsphotography.comsmokies photosgreat smoky mountains imagesmattanddeliahills
From Black Bears and Cubs
Springscape
Sunrays at a distance as the sun begins to set.
Roaring Fork
Great Smoky MountainsSpringscapeRoaring Forkoverlookscenic vistanaturesmokiesgreat smoky mountainsGSMNPMD Hills Photographymdhillsphotography.comsmokies photosgreat smoky mountains imagesmattanddeliahills
Epiphany
There are few things more comforting than seeing an old friend, the kind of friend that you often think of and hope that they are doing well. We first photographed the mama of this beautiful bear in 2012, ten long years ago. She was with her mama and two siblings in our video “The Beauty of Cades Cove” - our very first. The following year we photographed her nursing from her mother with her siblings, "A Mother's Love". We have observed her skills as a mother in 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2021. She’s one of the most beautiful bears we’ve ever seen and a very good mama, so we were excited to see her with three more healthy cubs this year, including this one. Hence the title.
For a clear image of this cub's mama, look at "Angelic".
Cades Cove
Great Smoky Mountains National ParkEpiphanyblack bearsyearlingsgenerationsCades Cove PhotosSpringMaywildlifenaturecades covesmokiesgreat smoky mountainsGSMNPMD Hills Photographymdhillsphotography.comsmokies photosgreat smoky mountains imagesmattanddeliahills
From Black Bears and Cubs
Peace
We could all use some about now. ✌️
Roaring Fork
Great Smoky MountainsPeaceRoaring ForkstreamsscenicSpringnaturesmokiesgreat smoky mountainsGSMNPMD Hills Photographymdhillsphotography.comsmokies photosgreat smoky mountains imagesmattanddeliahills
Hickory Happy
A young bear appears to be smiling high in a hickory tree. ʕᵔᴥᵔʔ
Cades Cove
Great Smoky MountainsHickoryHappyblack bearsspring cubsFallautumnhickory treeCades Cove photoswildlifenaturecades covesmokiesgreat smoky mountainsGSMNPMD Hills Photographymdhillsphotography.comsmokies photosgreat smoky mountains imagesmattanddeliahills
From Black Bears and Cubs
On Alert
Ever have one of those days when you didn't know if you were coming or going, or what you were doing next? Well, you aren't alone. Seriously, this female groundhog heard something that put her on alert so she stood silent to listen. She likely has babies burrowed in a den nearby.
Wears Valley
Great Smoky MountainsOn Alertgroundhogwhistlepigwoodchuckeastern marmotMarmota MonaxcloverWears Valleywildlifenaturesmokiesgreat smoky mountainsGSMNPMD Hills Photographymdhillsphotography.comsmokies photosgreat smoky mountains imagesmattanddeliahills
Mowing The Grass
Lawnmower unnecessary. 🐻
Great Smoky MountainsMowingtheGrassblack bearsbear cubswildlifenaturesmokiesgreat smoky mountainsGSMNPMD Hills Photographymdhillsphotography.comsmokies photosgreat smoky mountains imagesmattanddeliahills
From Black Bears and Cubs
Noah's Dogwoods 2022
Cherokee Orchard Road
Great Smoky MountainsNoah'sDogwoods2022Noah Bud Ogle CabinSpringdogwood treesnaturecades covesmokiesgreat smoky mountainsGSMNPMD Hills Photographymdhillsphotography.comsmokies photosgreat smoky mountains imagesmattanddeliahills
Sunshine Bear
As the sun begins to set, this beautiful female bear grazes in the wildflowers and tall grass.
Great Smoky MountainsSunshineBearblack bearsbear sowSpringsunsetwildlifenaturesmokiesgreat smoky mountainsGSMNPMD Hills Photographymdhillsphotography.comsmokies photosgreat smoky mountains imagesmattanddeliahills
From Black Bears and Cubs
Under The Dogwoods At Noah's Place
Cherokee Orchard Road
Great Smoky MountainsUndertheDogwoodsNoah'sPlaceCherokee Orchard RoadNoah Bud Ogle CabinSpringDogwood Treessunsettingnaturesmokiesgreat smoky mountainsGSMNPMD Hills Photographymdhillsphotography.comsmokies photosgreat smoky mountains imagesmattanddeliahills
Beneath The Dogwoods
A black bear takes a stroll beneath the dogwood trees in the distance on Hyatt Lane.
Cades Cove
Great Smoky MountainsBeneaththeDogwoodsHyatt LaneSpringCades Cove photosblack bearsdogwood treeswildlifenaturecades covesmokiesgreat smoky mountainsGSMNPMD Hills Photographymdhillsphotography.comsmokies photosgreat smoky mountains imagesmattanddeliahills
From Black Bears and Cubs
Early Fall At A Thousand Drips
Roaring Fork
Great Smoky MountainsEarlyFallThousandDripsRoaring ForkwaterfallsSeptemberseasonsscenicnaturesmokiesgreat smoky mountainsGSMNPMD Hills Photographymdhillsphotography.comsmokies photosgreat smoky mountains imagesmattanddeliahills
Crossing Paths
While hiking, we came upon a mother bear and her three cubs. After taking an image of the mother bear, we didn't even notice the little one standing next to her until we uploaded our images. She's a strong and protective Mama bear and as most of our wildlife images are, this was taken from quite a distance.
Great Smoky Mountains National ParkCrossingPathshikingMama bearbear cubSummerblack bearswildlifenaturesmokiesgreat smoky mountainsGSMNPMD Hills Photographymdhillsphotography.comsmokies photosgreat smoky mountains imagesmattanddeliahills
From Black Bears and Cubs
Above The Clouds
Morning sunrise at Clingmans Dome.
Great Smoky Mountains National ParkAbovetheCloudssunriseClingmans Domenaturesmokiesgreat smoky mountainsGSMNPMD Hills Photographymdhillsphotography.comsmokies photosgreat smoky mountains imagesmattanddeliahills
A Frosty Nibble
A buck grabs a small branch of leaves on a snowy day in the mountains.
Cades Cove
Great Smoky MountainsFrostyNibble11x14buckWintersnowingcades cove photosdeerwildlifenaturesmokiesgreat smoky mountainsGSMNPMD Hills Photographymdhillsphotography.comsmokies photosgreat smoky mountains imagesmattanddeliahills
From Deer and Elk
The Lure Of Little River
Little Pigeon River
Roaring Fork
Great Smoky MountainsTheLureLittleRiverFallAutumnscenicRoaring ForkRoaring Fork Creekstreamsseasonsnaturesmokiesgreat smoky mountainsGSMNPMD Hills Photographymdhillsphotography.comsmokies photosgreat smoky mountains imagesmattanddeliahills
Felicia
Don't let this smirk fool you. The first time we saw this beautiful bear was early in the morning as we took our dog outside. We didn’t notice her, and she didn’t expect us, surprised she stood, outside our front door on her hind legs looking bewildered only a few feet away. We scooped up our dog and immediately took him back inside. With the knowledge that he still had to potty, and the fact that she hadn't left, we blew a whistle – that didn’t deter her. Knowing what might work, umbrellas often scare bears, so by using a whistle and large umbrella we managed to chase her off. ☂️ Being that close to our front door made us realize she’s found human food, whether intentional or not. She continued to pass through over the summer, but if she kept her distance, we let her wander through or relax for a bit. Each time she approached the door, out came the whistle and umbrella again! We only had to do this once with Ellis, but three times for her. This is an image where she kept her distance but could see us through the glass. She may not be very fond of us, but for her safety we'd rather she wasn't. We haven’t seen “Felicia” for a few weeks so hopefully she’s finding plentiful natural food sources in the area.
Bye, Felicia... we wish you well.
Gatlinburg, TNFeliciablack bearswildlifenatureGatlinburgsmokiesgreat smoky mountainsGSMNPMD Hills Photographymdhillsphotography.comsmokies photosgreat smoky mountains imagesmattanddeliahills
From Black Bears and Cubs
Scruffy's Kiddos
The previous image tells the story, but here are two of Scruffy's four or five kits.
Gatlinburg, TNScruffy's Kiddoskitsbaby raccoonsGatlinburgwildlifenaturesmokiesgreat smoky mountainsGSMNPMD Hills Photographymdhillsphotography.comsmokies photosgreat smoky mountains imagesmattanddeliahills
Scruffy
Scruffy has been visiting our property for a couple of years now. We often know when she's here because our motion lights come on or our cloud cam captures her. What we didn't know was that she has kits! Not sure if she has four or five, but we have seen as many as five, although one could be tagging along. She usually passes through at night but this time she and her kits came by during the day. Here she is smiling for the camera. :) Not really, this was taken through the glass.
Gatlinburg, TNScruffyraccoonsowGatlinburgwildlifenaturesmokiesgreat smoky mountainsGSMNPMD Hills Photographymdhillsphotography.comsmokies photosgreat smoky mountains imagesmattanddeliahills
Bob
We'd like to introduce you to Bob, aka "Big Ole' Bear". He has passed through our property for several years now, but we've never been able to capture his image as he's very skittish - as most bears are. He's old and VERY large (one of the largest we've ever seen!) so when he decided to take a break and lie down for a bit, we captured his image through the glass but he didn't see us. He has before and taken off into the woods. We were lucky this time. 🐻
Gatlinburg, TNBobblack bearsboarGatlinburgwildlifenaturesmokiesgreat smoky mountainsGSMNPMD Hills Photographymdhillsphotography.comsmokies photosgreat smoky mountains imagesmattanddeliahills
From Black Bears and Cubs
Alpha Bull Of Cataloochee
Cataloochee Valley
Great Smoky MountainsAlphaBullCataloocheeelkwildlifenaturesmokiesgreat smoky mountainsGSMNPMD Hills Photographymdhillsphotography.comsmokies photosgreat smoky mountains imagesmattanddeliahills
From Deer and Elk
Ellis
We'd like to introduce you to Ellis, aka "Little Sh*t" (L.S.) who has been visiting regularly. He, like other bears pass through our yard on a semi-regular basis. We've had numerous again this year as they come up the hillside and head to the woods behind our house. They come in all sizes and Ellis is a young bear, however he did approach our front door one day. Since we have a dog and it's a big no-no here to get that close, we had to run out clapping and waving our arms until he "understood" - which he quickly learned. He's a good bear.
Here's to Ellis! May he live long and prosper.Ellisblack bearsyearlingsGatlinburgwildlifenaturesmokiesgreat smoky mountainsGSMNPMD Hills Photographymdhillsphotography.comsmokies photosgreat smoky mountains imagesmattanddeliahills
From Black Bears and Cubs
Vixen Visitor
This beautiful Red Fox has passed through our property on multiple occasions. After repeat attempts, we were finally able to capture a photograph.
VixenVisitorRed FoxGatlinburgwildlifenaturesmokiesgreat smoky mountainsGSMNPMD Hills Photographymdhillsphotography.comsmokies photosgreat smoky mountains imagesmattanddeliahills
Fall At Grotto Falls
Falling water at one of the most popular and walk behind falls in the Smokies
Trillium Gap Trail
Great Smoky Mountains National ParkFallGrottoFallsautumntrillium gap trailfalling waterwaterfallsseasonsfogmistnaturesmokiesgreat smoky mountainsGSMNPMD Hills Photographymdhillsphotography.comsmokies photosgreat smoky mountains imagesmattanddeliahills
Behind Grotto Falls
Standing underneath one of the most popular and walk-behind falls in all of the Smokies
Grotto Falls ~ Trillium Gap Trail
Great Smoky Mountains National ParkBehindGrottoFallsTrillium Gap Trailmistfogfallautumnseasonswaterfallsnaturesmokiesgreat smoky mountainsGSMNPMD Hills Photographymdhillsphotography.comsmokies photosgreat smoky mountains imagesmattanddeliahills
Bird Watcher
A male black bear notices a flock of birds that landed in our large pine tree above.
Taken from inside at Gatlinburg, TNBirdWatcherblack bearbear boarGatlinburgmale bearwildlifenaturesmokiesgreat smoky mountainsGSMNPMD Hills Photographymdhillsphotography.comsmokies photosgreat smoky mountains imagesmattanddeliahills
From Black Bears and Cubs
Bird Watching
This male bear was sitting in our yard grooming himself when a flock of birds flew into the trees above. He kept looking up with a frightened expression. Anyone who understands these animals know that they can spook at the slightest of things, and spooked he was. Shortly after he took off like a rocket into the woods.
BirdWatchingblack bearsmale bearwildlifenaturesmokiesgreat smoky mountainsGSMNPMD Hills Photographymdhillsphotography.comsmokies photosgreat smoky mountains imagesmattanddeliahills
From Black Bears and Cubs
Bugle Boy
Oconaluftee
Great Smoky Mountains National ParkBugleBoybull elkoconalufteewildlifenaturesmokiesgreat smoky mountainsGSMNPMD Hills Photographymdhillsphotography.comsmokies photosgreat smoky mountains imagesmattanddeliahills
From Deer and Elk