Black Bears in the Woods

In late spring black bears in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are often seen with their cubs. While enjoying the beautiful Cades Cove loop a big momma bear and her four cubs were seen. Momma bear was busy foraging while the cubs ran around playing. It was at this point that I started to think that bear cubs have the most fun. And what fun to watch their playful antics, climbing trees, and wresting each other.

Momma bear foraging while her four cubs play nearby.

A playful black bear cub chewing a tree stump.

Momma bears need food, and she continued foraging while the cubs scurried around causing mischief and having fun as bear cubs do. At some point, the cubs took turns climbing a tree, quickly ascending and then gently lowering themselves back to the ground.

Eventually, momma bear was ready to move along and, with a look back, she encouraged the cubs and off they went further into the woods.

Momma bear checking on her cubs

Two of the four cubs running after their momma and off into the woods.