Great Smoky Mountain National Park (GSMNP)

After my trip to the Masters, I stopped Great Smoky Mountain National Park for 3 days on my way back to boring Illinois.  I stayed on the quiet side of the mountain in Townsend Tennessee.  Several of the photographers I follow recommend and stay at Dock’s Motel.  I read the reviews on trip advisor and was a little nervous since the April and May rate is $35 a night for a sleeping room.  Everything was great, the room was clean, hot shower, soft bed and internet for $35 a night.  It would have cost me $17 a night to camp in Cades Cove with no power, bed or hot shower.

My sister loves her mountains, in fact they are called her mountains, but she has agreed to rename Cades Cove to Kent’s Cove.

I spend 3 full days in Kent’s Cove looking for wildlife.  I was a week to 10 days too early, but here is some of the photos I was able to capture.

PBKJ1459-FrameShop PBKJ1544-FrameShop PBKJ1546-FrameShop

Couldn’t find any wildlife but I thought this stump looked like a howling wolf.PBKJ1552-FrameShopPBKJ1761-FrameShop

Love my Mind Shift Gear Rotation 180 Pro.  Notice the Bear Horn sticking out.MindShiftGear IMG_1680-FrameShop

Was able to find a few wildflowers that were starting to bloom at the lower elevation.PBKJ1451-FrameShop

Virginia Blue BellsPBKJ1455-FrameShop PBKJ1458-FrameShop PBKJ1775-FrameShop

Trout LillyPBKJ1776-FrameShop PBKJ1781-FrameShop

Great White TrilliumPBKJ1784-FrameShop

Yellow TrilliumPBKJ1783-FrameShop

Pink TrilliumPBKJ1786-FrameShop

Wild TurkeyPBKJ1474-FrameShop PBKJ1515-FrameShop PBKJ1531-FrameShop

Short Eared OwlPBKJ1488-FrameShop PBKJ1493-FrameShop PBKJ1497-FrameShop

Yuck, one of the riding horse in Cades Cove Riding StablePBKJ1472-FrameShop

Eastern Screech OwlIMG_1689-FrameShop

CoyotePBKJ1807-FrameShop

On the last night with less than 15 minutes of shootable light I found my only black bear.  He didn’t want to get close and just kept sticking his head behind brush every time I tried to move into a clearer position.  Oh well, at least I found one after more than 15 hours of hiking all over the mountains.PBKJ1803-FrameShop

Hopefully I will get to go back towards the end of September for the Elk rut.

Enjoy what you read and the photos? Subscribe to be notified of future posts via email by either clicking the Follow button at the bottom or the Subscribe section on the right!  Or feel free to leave a comment.

Thanks for stopping by!
Kent

The Masters 2014

Was lucky enough to score practice round tickets again this year.  I had a blast and was able to get my Canon 1DX into the venue.

#12 and the Hogan Bridge

I went to the Masters in 2012 and Bubba Watson won, he won again this year.  I think he will have to start flying me out and giving me tickets if he wants to win again 🙂

Bubba WatsonIMG_1337-FrameShop IMG_1352-FrameShop PBKJ0184-FrameShop PBKJ0205-FrameShop PBKJ0238-FrameShop PBKJ0243-FrameShop PBKJ0249-FrameShop PBKJ0266-FrameShopNo Cellphones allowed.PBKJ0325-FrameShop PBKJ0328-FrameShopBrad and Greg from across the #7 green.PBKJ0404-FrameShop PBKJ0473-FrameShop PBKJ0652-FrameShop PBKJ0893-FrameShop PBKJ0930-FrameShop PBKJ0980-FrameShop PBKJ1290-FrameShop

I got over a thousand photos if you are looking for a particular player or famous hole.

Enjoy what you read and the photos? Subscribe to be notified of future posts via email by either clicking the Follow button at the bottom or the Subscribe section on the right!  Or feel free to leave a comment.

Thanks for stopping by!
Kent

15 of 52: 2014

Week 15 of 52: “Yuck” one of the horses from the riding stable in Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

PBKJ1472-FrameShop

 

The story goes there was a kid in the barn with Yuck was born.  She cried, yuck… He is all cover pooh.  The name stuck.

Enjoy what you read and the photos? Subscribe to be notified of future posts via email by either clicking the Follow button at the bottom or the Subscribe section on the right!  Or feel free to leave a comment.

Thanks for stopping by!
Kent