Black Bear Road Crossing – Cades Cove, GSMNPThe American Black Bear* is the smallest and most common species of bear in North America and is able to exploit numerous different habitats and foodstuffs. The species is not overly aggressive or dangerous to humans but has been responsible for injuries and a few deaths.
Black Bear Appearance – Cades Cove, GSMNPIn most park areas, Black Bears have become very used to humans and have little fear of being in the same vicinity. While it’s strictly against park rules to feed or disturb any park wildlife, especially bears, I’ve certainly witnessed stupid stunts and decisions by people trying to get photos of these wild and potentially dangerous creatures.
My chance encounter with this bear occurred about 15 feet from the front of my car as I was making my way slowly around the scenic drive in Cades Cove, Smoky Mountains. The closeness of it’s sudden appearance insured I would be shooting from my car so these shots were taken through my windshield — nothing like a dirty glass angular filter for sharp photos. ;-)
Why did the black bear cross the road? — I later noticed there was a second Black Bear that this one was joining.
I remember having to watch for Black Bears on the way to the bus for school in AK all the time. That and picking blueberry’s was always an adventure with them. I could run a lot faster in those days though. :)
Ray, your comment about picking blueberry’s brought back fond memories of my own adventures picking blackberry’s as a young boy. Over the years I’ve lost a great deal of speed myself, but I believe if I had a bear nipping at my butt I could probably regain some of it for at least a short distance. ;-)
Thanks, Don, I’m happy with the images I got, considering everything. Black Bears are not all that large but they’re deceptively strong and fast for their size.
Great shot, Earl. It’s good that you stayed on your car. When I saw the first photo, I was wondering if you got your bravery up and shot it with a 10 or 11 mm lens! ;-) Closer … closer … fill the frame … closer … got it!
Paul, I assure you my sense of survival has total control of my actions when confronted with a bear, bravery doesn’t even get a vote! ;-) Thanks on the photo.
Your images brought on a smile for me, thanks. We encountered a black bear while in Cades Cove back in 2003. I also witnessed some pretty amazing actions by people as they approached this bear using a point and shoot camera. Once the park rangers showed up people kept their distance. And, there is nothing wrong with staying in the safety of your vehicle.
Monte, I don’t mind going for the shot but I’ve watched too many nature specials on TV where people have been mauled by bears — I like my face right where it is. :-) Thanks!
Paul Maxim
14 years ago
You’re right that black bears are normally “peaceful”. They rarely attack humans – usually only if threatened and with no escape route. We even have a few wandering around here in western NY. One was seen a few times right here in Rochester last week.
Of course, I’ve seen them in the Smokies as well. In your post, you mention “stupid stunts”. We were driving through the park not far from the big Visitor’s Center a few years back when we saw a lot of parked cars and people along the road up ahead. So we stopped to see what was going on. The “attraction” was a treed juvenile black bear down in a shallow ravine. People had gotten out their point and shoot cameras and were actually standing directly beneath the tree taking pictures of this poor scared creature. The first thought in my head was: What if Mama returns? Luckily, a ranger happened by and dispersed the crowd. Some people are just clueless………..
That’s great that you had this encounter Earl. I have also used that dirty windshield filter! :-) Now all you need is the tourist sticking a P&S camera in the bear’s face and the experience is complete.
Mark, thanks. I’m sure I was only a few minutes away from someone running up with that P&S, probably wanting the rest of the family to stand next to the bear for a group shot. But, luckily I didn’t have to witness that this time — I always root for the bear! ;-)
I remember having to watch for Black Bears on the way to the bus for school in AK all the time. That and picking blueberry’s was always an adventure with them. I could run a lot faster in those days though. :)
Ray, your comment about picking blueberry’s brought back fond memories of my own adventures picking blackberry’s as a young boy. Over the years I’ve lost a great deal of speed myself, but I believe if I had a bear nipping at my butt I could probably regain some of it for at least a short distance. ;-)
Don’t need to be faster than the bear, just faster than who you are with.
A fine close up of this black bear. The dirty glass doesn’t seem to have affected the image much. Fine shooting.
Don, thanks on the photos. There was a good bit of post-processing and sharping involved getting these images where they are now. :-)
I have only seen one in my life and from a distance, I think these shots came out well under the circumstance.
Thanks, Don, I’m happy with the images I got, considering everything. Black Bears are not all that large but they’re deceptively strong and fast for their size.
Great shot, Earl. It’s good that you stayed on your car. When I saw the first photo, I was wondering if you got your bravery up and shot it with a 10 or 11 mm lens! ;-) Closer … closer … fill the frame … closer … got it!
Paul, I assure you my sense of survival has total control of my actions when confronted with a bear, bravery doesn’t even get a vote! ;-) Thanks on the photo.
Your images brought on a smile for me, thanks. We encountered a black bear while in Cades Cove back in 2003. I also witnessed some pretty amazing actions by people as they approached this bear using a point and shoot camera. Once the park rangers showed up people kept their distance. And, there is nothing wrong with staying in the safety of your vehicle.
Monte, I don’t mind going for the shot but I’ve watched too many nature specials on TV where people have been mauled by bears — I like my face right where it is. :-) Thanks!
You’re right that black bears are normally “peaceful”. They rarely attack humans – usually only if threatened and with no escape route. We even have a few wandering around here in western NY. One was seen a few times right here in Rochester last week.
Of course, I’ve seen them in the Smokies as well. In your post, you mention “stupid stunts”. We were driving through the park not far from the big Visitor’s Center a few years back when we saw a lot of parked cars and people along the road up ahead. So we stopped to see what was going on. The “attraction” was a treed juvenile black bear down in a shallow ravine. People had gotten out their point and shoot cameras and were actually standing directly beneath the tree taking pictures of this poor scared creature. The first thought in my head was: What if Mama returns? Luckily, a ranger happened by and dispersed the crowd. Some people are just clueless………..
Paul, clueless is certainly an apt description…
That’s great that you had this encounter Earl. I have also used that dirty windshield filter! :-) Now all you need is the tourist sticking a P&S camera in the bear’s face and the experience is complete.
Mark, thanks. I’m sure I was only a few minutes away from someone running up with that P&S, probably wanting the rest of the family to stand next to the bear for a group shot. But, luckily I didn’t have to witness that this time — I always root for the bear! ;-)