Phil Perkins • Photography

Here’s a photograph taken while on my recent visit to Cades Cove. It shows a southern view, facing away from the Smoky Mountains in the direction to which the peaks taper off.

Bears are popular here, and I had the pleasure of seeing four cubs. One was in the woods near the road, and quickly ran deeper into the forest. The other three were high in a tree, barely visible as obscured by the foliage, though commanding the attention of a small crowd of 20 cars and passengers, below. Bears are very good climbers and one cub was at the top of the tree, approx. 60-feet in the air, causing the tree to sway quite a bit.

You can see more in my gallery – thanks!