THIS WEEK

 A deer keeps careful watch on me from a distance.

Cades Cove is a beautiful place within the Great Smoky Mountain National Park that retains the aura of still being very wild, even though it has been tamed long ago. http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/cadescove.htm
It has been a long, long time since I visited this scenic place and decided to do so last Tuesday.  The single lane motor road through Cade's Cove is trying most times due to the tourist traffic that is a constant presence, but there are side roads and even hiking trails that can be utilized to escape the human onslaught that exists in that wilderness.  I didn't write much about the cove or even photograph it well.  I did, however have the privilege of photographing a black bear and her cubs, albeit at a great, great distance.  The photos are sad in professionalism but nevertheless they document the moment.

The black bear (sow) was a big one and she milled about on the hillside down in the valley at a point near the forest that was heavily shaded.

 All of a sudden a little black splotch with legs came bounding out of the woods toward the big sow.

Again, I apologize for the horrible quality of these pictures.

And then a second tiny cub appeared and the two started chasing each other around on the hillside.

 I had to rub my eyes because a third cub appeared and all three began to race and chase about in the short grass.  Three cubs - that is unusual and exciting.  I wish I could have gotten closer.  They may have come toward me but the 15 car loads of tourists that stopped ahead of me certainly eliminated any possibility of the bears coming near.

The moments spent watching these wild guys was appreciated and mom finally lead them to the edge of the forest where she stopped while each cub ran past her into the foliage and she finally disappeared into the brush behind the last cub and out of sight.

It seems that everywhere I went this week there were turkeys crossing my path, or I theirs.

I was counting fishermen down on the tailrace the other day and a group of birds appeared in a field close to a fence-line.  I was using the 400 mm lens and hoped they would close the distance between themselves and me so that clear photographs could be taken.  I think they obliged nicely.

 The bird below has noticed me and is staring me down.

 Yard art -- the property is looking pretty good back at the house.

 At least now, if you never saw a wild turkey and many haven't,  you know what one looks like.

And finally a run in the boat on the upper end of Douglas Lake uncovered tragedy. 

I was wrapping up the day and getting ready to leave the lake when I heard a report on the radio that an accident had occurred at the boat ramp located at the Leadvale access area of the lake.  DOA and life flight were mentioned.  Neither are terms one ever wants to hear.  I heard the call because a TWRA (Tennessee Wildlife Resource's Officer) was a first responder and the call came through on the radio I had on the boat.

 It appears that some younger folks were acting out with a couple trucks on the very narrow roadway that leads to the boat ramp and lost control of their vehicles.  One truck can be seen on its side in these shots.  I believe the other on was on the opposite side of the road.  These shots were taken from the lake.

 I believe there were two killed and a couple life flighted to the hospital.  Not sure.  Its not a pleasant sight but is proof that "good ole boys" require constant monitoring and watching when near lakes, not to protect them but to protect all the other people minding their own business, from them.

 A bad way to end the day.

I had a Harley Davidson rented for last Tuesday and rain forced me to cancel the rental.  I then called and lined up another rental for Monday next week and 80% chance of rain is predicted for the early part of the week so I cancelled that rental.  I'll try one more time and if that fails then I guess it just isn't meant to be.  Listen how I talk.  "Isn't meant to be."    I have criticized that cliche many times as an excuse for failure down here in the south.  Now, here I go using it.  Funny!

A FAVORITE BOAT

I usually drive a 22 foot Pathfinder bay boat on the lakes and its a delight for me to sometimes have the opportunity to run on the water with a smaller craft.  The Gheenoe has gone to a new home and I have no personal boats at the present time.  I do, however, have an additional Fisheries boat in my driveway that is perfect to run the job on rivers and tighter water with and its perfect for winter months when these lakes I'm assigned to are drawn down.  The engine was a mess when I got it but she flies along just fine now after a lot of TLC.  It doesn't make up for the Gheenoe's loss as it isn't for personal use but it allows me to access more water on the river sections of the reservoirs where a big ocean liner fears to tread.  And, its a fairly quick little thing....

SOME INTEREST SHOTS

Shot on Douglas Lake

I've been on Douglas Lake as well as the Tailrace of Cherokee lake the past few days and have been involved in planting and caring for bushes, plants and trees on the property.  I'm happy I became involved in plants, flowers, trees and shrubs as they have instigated a deeper appreciation for things green and I've discovered that their planting and care are addictive.  

Furthermore, I've sold the Gheenoe and am trying to get used to the fact that I now have no "personal" craft with which to explore the water.  I do have two boats that I use to satisfy my state job tasks but those boats can not be used for personal purpose.  We'll see how long I can go without a personal watercraft.  I have a few ideas about it.  The Gheenoe went to a wonderful family and will be appreciated and cared for as well if not better than when I had it.  OtterChase is no more but her memory and exploratory expeditions are  recorded in the countless photographs contained in my archives,  just like my boy Douglas is.

 And, Autumn is finally upon us....

This entry is comprised of photos I took during the process of completing other tasks over the past few days.  There was no intention to go out and collect special shots of interest or once in a lifetime photos of unusual wildlife or landscapes.  Its all just pictures.  The shot below is of a tree with the early morning soft light striking it high up on its trunk.  Not unusual I guess but a pretty moment documented.

A couple days were spent on the tailrace of Cherokee Dam which is in reality the Holston River where its released from the bottom of the dam.

 Above is a foggy morning alongside the river where the trees are tall and indistinct in the distance.  The shot makes me think of lonely wilderness - someplace pristine, if that's possible.

 I photographed an otter one day on the bank in the shot above.  I'll never forget it.

I ran across the little display above not far from my home.  I do love morning glories.

 Now, these are my morning glories.

 Pay close attention to the old white stump.  Notice anything special about it?

I am amazed at the transformation of this property since I decided to immerse myself into planting and caring for plants.  I hate seeing flowers and shrubs planted in circles and lines or cute designs and would rather have a more natural disbursement of growth sort of, well, all over the place.

 The structure above was one of the best things I ever built.  The plants are growing up the sides and across the top already.  Next year should find everything well rooted and established with a healthy, long season to grow and rapidly climb across the top of the trellis.  

 The vinca has climbed up the side and is now wrapping itself around the top boards of the trellis.

 I found the end of an old picnic table laying on an obscure shoreline of the lake.  It looked like it might prove to be an interesting piece of yard art.

I almost forgot this little guy:

 Its a acronicta labelia and is a oak leaf eating caterpillar.  The last picture indicates what the finished product looks like.  Caterpillars are created to look dangerous to thwart annoying predators.  Such is the case with this species.  Hes harmless with his two sets of eyes.  Two red spots on the head and two black spots toward the rear on top are designed to fool a hungry bird or preying mantis.

When its all said and done - its just a moth....

And a final thought - Smoky Mountain Harley Davidson hosted a dog adoption day last week and the event was really big.  Below are a couple fast clips of a competitive event where dogs dive and swim.  The little fellow in the cage below had me thinking.

I just barely got the next movie as I had the camera set improperly.  Hey, I'm not a movie guy.

I'll be back on the lake tomorrow and I've rented a Harley Davidson Ultra-classic for next Tuesday to travel across the Chirohalla Skyway to Robinsville, North Carolina. That will happen if the weather holds out.   Stay in touch and thanks for looking in.