Smoky Mountain black bear

While hiking at Cades Cove, TN this weekend, we came upon a mama bear and her two cubs. At one point, she stood up to check on one of her cubs. I was able to grab this shot.

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Wow!

Very cool!

Too close for me. Very nice shot.

Very nice shot

Nice Shot but what would you do if it had came after you?

We were there a few months back and we had seen a cub in a field we stayed in the car knowing the momma bear wouldn't be to far away.

Nice shot! Too close for me.

Nice, what lens you shoot it with. what sorta distance ?

Shot it with the Canon 55-250 on my 20D, zoomed all the way out. I was about 30 yards away. Picture has been cropped a little.

30 yards away did she even see you?

If she had seen or smelled you, you probably would not be showing your great shot!

Good shot. I would need good IS because I'd be shaking big time.

I think there is a misconception about the agressiveness of black bears - especially eastern US bears. These bears are nothing like their western counterparts - which also tend to get a little bit of a bad rap.

Black bears are more curious than anything. Mothers do not actively defend their young like grizzlies do. And while, if cornered, they may come out swinging, more likely than not they'll do more to scare you away than come after you. Is this to say that blacks won't attack? No. Just saying they are greatly less likely too. Would I want to startle a mother with cubs? No, as the potential is there, though very low. Keep in mind, unlike grizzlies, blacks are herbavores and you are not a blueberry - they don't care to eat you.

I have been within 20 yards from black bear mothers with cubs and neither of us ever felt threatened. No woofing or teeth gnashing on her part. She even stopped to give us a look and kept on moving. Zero aggressive behavior.

There have been several grizzly attacks this summer. How many black bear attacks have you heard of? None. Before you group all bears as aggressive, take some time and read about them or watch some videos. There are a number of videos with hunters encountering bears coming up their stands and a simple "BOO" scared the bear away. Not to mention that this bear sees more people on a weekly basis than most of us do, so they are used to it.

Great shot.

Thanks, huntersdad. You've exactly described her behavior. She knew we were there taking pictures. She didn't seem to care. We were on a hiking trail and she was on a hillside above us. We stayed parallel to each other and neither the hikers nor the bear closed the distance. She stayed around awhile and then just wandered back up hill until we couldn't see her anymore. It was a great experience.

Looks like something one might find along the Appalachian Trail! Kind of scary and "wow!" at the same time.