Viewing wildlife in their natural habitat is one of the most thrilling outdoor experiences imaginable. Heading into my first trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, I knew that seeing wildlife such as black bears was a possibility, but I tried to rein in my expectations of seeing one of these majestic creatures. In an incredible stroke of luck, we would end up seeing not one but five black bears during our week in the Smokies! We came across the one in this photo just in time to see it awake from its evening snooze to stretch out against a tree trunk before ambling off into the autumn forest, truly a moment that we’ll never forget. Prints Available.
Photo of the Week
Joey Priola Wilderness Photography 