Beautiful Cade's Cove

It has been many years since I had stopped at Cable Mill in the farthest corner of Cade's Cove, but I decided on this trip to pay a visit.

Along the road to Cable Mill, I happened upon several Deer grazing in the fields. Tourists were everywhere photographing them. Several of the Bucks attempted to play fight, but I didn't capture it.

I love to watch the Deer grazing. It's even more fun to try and get good images of them. It looks like these guys are keeping a close eye on all of us photographers too.

John Cable Gristmill was built back in the late 1800's and, along with five or six other structures, moved to the far end of Cade's Cove where the national park also built a Visitors Center in a log cabin style. The gristmill is barely visible in this image, but it's there.

It had been at least fifteen years since I had stopped at Cable Mill. There was one yellow Maple tree in its Fall regalia. I wished I could have brought it home with me. It was beautiful. Sorry for the construction work in this photo, but I still wanted to share it.

The sun was shining making the leaves on this Persimmon tree really pop. While I was capturing this image, people kept getting into my shots. I just kept shooting around them. I did something different this trip. I kept a mental note of all the license plates from different states that I saw during the time in the park. When I left I was up to 21 different states. All of the Southeast and mid Atlantic states were covered and a few Northeast and Midwest states were represented. The farthest state from the park I happened upon was from Oregon. Gads what a drive. ENJOY!

Linking to Foodie Friday & Everything Else

Bucks & Bears, Cade's Cove

A classic Cade's Cove image of a rusted wire fence anchoring the motor route. In this image you're looking out across the meadow toward the Smoky Mountains. All of the meadows were laden with Daisies while Black Eyed Susans were growing along the fenceline throughout the route.

It wouldn't be a perfect Cade's Cove visit without seeing White Tailed Deer everywhere you turn. Several Bucks were seen munching on meadow grasses midway through the auto tour. As I stopped to snap this photo, I wondered, "Where were the girls?" And then as I drove down around a bend, my question was answered, as I found several Does busy grazing there.

Just as I was close to the end of the auto tour that winds its way throughout Cade's Cove, this Black Bear decided to create a stir by coming out of the woods for a few minutes and getting all of the park visitors along the motor route jumping out of their cars anxious to get an image. As it turned out, I had already parked my car and had walked in the direction of an old log home near this woods so I snapped this image fairly easily.

It was good to get away for a few days and take in this beautiful park. ENJOY!

Cade's Cove Wildlife, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Many times I have visited Cade's Cove in the Smokies always to find something interesting. I saw a bear up close there this year. Several years ago I shot this photograph right after I entered Cade's Cove. I have this affinity for breaking rules. It's one of those things I can't help. After I got about half a mile into the cove on this particular day, I spotted a herd of deer a slight distance away in a field. It was getting on toward dusk but I decided to chance it away. I hopped the fence (that's the rule breaking thing) and stood about 200 yards away for probably a half hour or longer photographing the deer and these two bucks who were playing around. I never once turned around in that entire time. When I finished I picked up my tripod and turned around and what do I see, a slew of other photographers with their cameras clicking away behind me. Apparently, they decided to jump the fence and get closer as well. I realize there isn't much detail in my background with the waning light, but I like the two bucks nudging each other just the same. Enjoy!