Taken from my parked car window, this photo captures a lumbering black bear curiously exploring the historic wooden barn structure at the old Tipton Place, one of Cades Cove's preserved homesteads from the early settlement era. The bear appeared completely at ease as my friend and I safely observed it from inside my car. It investigated the weathered log construction and wooden fencing, looking for food carelessly dropped by weekend tourists from the previous day, but I can happily report he found none. A fed bear is a dead bear. The scene perfectly illustrates the unique character of Cades Cove, where visitors can witness both the area's human history and its thriving wildlife population coexisting in the same space during those magical early morning hours when bears are most active and Cades Cove was surprisingly empty of tourists.
