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Guiding Gaze

from $35.00

This photograph was taken in the middle of a classic Smoky Mountain "bear jam" in the springtime. I parked and walked past the line of cars to where everyone was gathered. Only the cubs were up in the trees, with this mom watching attentively from below. This wasn't my first time seeing a bear, but it was my first time ever seeing cubs. Whispered shouts rang through the crowd when one of the cubs practically slid down its tree. This was the moment I captured, as the mom looked on with what felt like a truly guiding gaze. I've been hooked on them ever since.

An intimate moment of wild family life unfolds in the Great Smoky Mountains. A mother black bear, perched attentively on a weathered tree stump, casts a protective and 'guiding gaze' at her tiny cub. The small cub, clinging tightly to the bark, ventures down the tall tree, practicing its essential skills under its mother's watchful eye. The surrounding green foliage of the forest frames this tender, quiet interaction, offering a rare and privileged glimpse into the bonds of nature.

A signature piece from the "Mountain Moods" gallery, this photograph celebrates the wild, intimate family bonds hidden within the heart of the Appalachian wilderness.

Material:
Size:

This photograph was taken in the middle of a classic Smoky Mountain "bear jam" in the springtime. I parked and walked past the line of cars to where everyone was gathered. Only the cubs were up in the trees, with this mom watching attentively from below. This wasn't my first time seeing a bear, but it was my first time ever seeing cubs. Whispered shouts rang through the crowd when one of the cubs practically slid down its tree. This was the moment I captured, as the mom looked on with what felt like a truly guiding gaze. I've been hooked on them ever since.

An intimate moment of wild family life unfolds in the Great Smoky Mountains. A mother black bear, perched attentively on a weathered tree stump, casts a protective and 'guiding gaze' at her tiny cub. The small cub, clinging tightly to the bark, ventures down the tall tree, practicing its essential skills under its mother's watchful eye. The surrounding green foliage of the forest frames this tender, quiet interaction, offering a rare and privileged glimpse into the bonds of nature.

A signature piece from the "Mountain Moods" gallery, this photograph celebrates the wild, intimate family bonds hidden within the heart of the Appalachian wilderness.

Print & Medium:

The power of this image lies in its rich textures—from the mother's deep black fur to the rough, detailed tree bark and the vibrant green foliage. To make these elements feel truly alive, my choice for this print is the Hahnemühle FineArt Baryta Satin. This museum-grade paper has an elegant, soft satin finish that renders the deep blacks of the fur with a subtle, realistic sheen while making the sharp details of the cub's claws and the tree bark incredibly crisp. It gives the entire scene a vivid, three-dimensional quality.

"Guiding Gaze" is available in sizes up to 16x24 inches. Please contact me directly for custom sizes, framing, or other medium requests.

Need a Custom Size or Medium?

I am happy to provide a custom quote if you don't see the perfect option above. I work directly with a professional lab to offer a wide range of sizes, mediums (including gallery-style acrylic), and custom framing. Please use the form below to start a conversation.