Before the sun ever touched the Blue Ridge Mountains, I was already driving the winding back roads, hoping to find one of the region’s most iconic animals. Mile after mile passed with nothing but peaceful forests and quiet ridgelines. I began wondering if this would be another morning without a single bear sighting.
Then everything changed.
As I rounded a bend along a mountain ridge, I spotted a mama black bear with her two cubs. They were busy tearing apart an old rotten tree, searching for grubs beneath the decaying wood. I stopped at a respectful distance and watched one of nature’s simplest, yet most beautiful, moments unfold.
Suddenly, one curious cub stepped away from the forest and began walking directly toward me. My heart started racing. I slowly raised my lens, knowing this opportunity could last only seconds. Just before the cub turned back toward its mother, I captured this image.
That young bear, likely no more than six months to a year old, inspired the title Cub of Courage. There was something special about its confidence and curiosity as it explored the world around it, always knowing Mom was close by.
After countless miles of searching, God placed me in exactly the right place at exactly the right time. Moments like these remind me why I spend so many early mornings exploring the mountains with a camera in hand.
Now you can experience that same unforgettable encounter.
Cub of Courage is a celebration of God’s artistry, a glimpse into the wild beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and a reminder that some of life’s greatest rewards come to those willing to keep searching.
