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Read MoreAutumn Speaks
The waters rush on a wet, Fall day in the mountains.
Roaring Fork
Great Smoky MountainsAutumnSpeaksstreamsFallseasonsscenicRoaring Fork CreekRoaring Forknaturesmokiesgreat smoky mountainsGSMNPMD Hills Photographymdhillsphotography.comsmokies photosgreat smoky mountains imagesmattanddeliahills
Rainy Day Autumn
Colors around every bend on this wet, Fall day in the Smokies.
Roaring Fork
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Crowded Colors
Oconaluftee Valley Overlook
Great Smoky MountainsCrowdedColorsFallAutumnOconaluftee OverlookNewfound Gap Roadscenic vistaseasonsnaturesmokiesgreat smoky mountainsGSMNPMD Hills Photographymdhillsphotography.comsmokies photosgreat smoky mountains imagesmattanddeliahills
The Lure Of Little River
Little Pigeon River
Roaring Fork
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Autumn Rain At The Ogle Place
Cherokee Orchard Road
Great Smoky MountainsAutumnRaintheOglePlacefallnoah bud oglecabinscherokee orchard roadseasonsscenicnaturesmokiesgreat smoky mountainsGSMNPMD Hills Photographymdhillsphotography.comsmokies photosgreat smoky mountains imagesmattanddeliahills
Autumn Unveiled
Roaring Fork
Great Smoky MountainsAutumnUnveiledscenicFall vistaRoaring Forkseasonsnaturesmokiesgreat 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. 🐻
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From Black Bears and Cubs
Autumn Peaks At The Bales Barn
Roaring Fork
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Alpha Bull Of Cataloochee
Cataloochee Valley
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From Deer and Elk
Fall View From Hyatt Lane
Cades Cove
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From Panoramic Images
Autumn Reigns
Little River Gorge
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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
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Behind Grotto Falls
Standing underneath one of the most popular and walk-behind falls in all of the Smokies
Grotto Falls ~ Trillium Gap Trail
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Trillium Gap Trail
A foggy, fall hike on our way to Grotto Falls
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Bird Watcher
A male black bear notices a flock of birds that landed in our large pine tree above.
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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
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From Deer and Elk