Kent Jarrett Photography

10/20/2026

Our good friends Andy and Sheryl came to the mountains during the same time we are here. We decided to meet up yesterday for a little shopping and lunch. After lunch I had the distinct pleasure of taking them up to Kent’s Cove (Cades Cove) for a guided wildlife and historic tour. They maybe my sister’s mountains, but she gifted me Cades Cove several years back.
Sheryl really wanted to see some wildlife, and I think I over delivered. We saw 23 turkeys including a group of jakes and toms, 8 do whitetails and 2 nice bucks, and of course the star of the tour 2 black bears. We got up there at 5:12, and the store was closed so no ice cream . The front half the loop was still in pretty bright light and traffic was flowing pretty well for October. They coming down bicycle hill, I stopped breaks lights and what I knew was a bear jam. By the time we got up to join the line it was a cluster and traffic not moving. I told Andy and Sheryl to get and start walking and I would pick them up with I get up there with the truck. Sheryl stated: “I’m not getting out of this truck with a bear”. After a good 5-7 minutes and 30-40 people walking but the truck her and Andy decided to walk up. What I believe to be a young male was chopping away on white oak acorns. He went up and down the tree for them and they were 70-75 yards back with the rest of the crowd and could hear him brushing the acorns in his mouth! I finally came to a spot where I could park with all 4 tires off the pavement and I too walked up. After getting some full frame shots with both cameras I headed back to retrieve the truck. Andy and Sheryl stay and watched the bear until I got up there. Another 2-3 photos out the driver window and the got it. All in All, Photos by Kent Jarrett tour guide delivered. I think they are hooked on Kent’s cove.

Life is good and I am blessed!

10/18/2026

The Great Smoky Mountains NP and surrounding towns can get really crowded during October! We decided it was best to go up and over the mountain into North Carolina to chase the Elk of Cataloochee Valley and avoid the crowds. The drive up 441 to top was really pretty and the leaf color at 4000’ was about 60%. Next week should really be impressive. I had long lenses with me for Elk, next time I’ll take a tripod and some wide-angle gear. Since it was going to be an all-day adventure we decided to take the dogs. They did great. Miss Sharon on the other hand did not. She used to get car sick, but it had gotten much better over the years. Once we got onto the Blue Ridge Parkway, she started turning green. By the time we got to the drive into Cataloochee valley she was done. She was a HUGE trooper and toughed it out going up and over and into the valley. She rode reclined with eyes closed and blanket over her head. I truly felt bad for her, but on that road, there is NO turning around. I had to retract my mirrors 3 times as I met other cars to be able to get by. I have driven the Tail of the Dragon in my Corvette, and this was like that only worse. One lane, washed out gravel, ruts, and 2-way traffic.

The Valley had really changed since I was there last in 2014. https://kentjarrett.com/2014/09/21/elk-of-cataloochee-valley-gsmnp/
They have closed off the bridge by the school house and the 2.5 mile stretch with all the elk fields are all over grown and accessible only by foot. I left Sharon sleeping in the truck and headed out to find me a Bull Elk. I heard one bugle as soon as I crossed the bridge and another photographer said he was up in the corner of the first field. I hiked down the main path until I could see his harem of cows (15-20) and then he bugled again. No way I was going get any useable photographs from my location. Decided I would flank him and circle back around and perform my best Indian ninja stalk on him from downwind. I was almost in position when he spotted me and we locked eyes.

I don’t know if he thought my big lens was a threat or if was the second Bull in the next field over that had started bulging. He stood up and started calling his girls and warning the other bull. Pretty cool. Once it started to move towards his harem, I worked my way back to the main trail to intercept and hopefully get some cleaner shots. Sure enough, it was like he was locked unto me and started coming straight towards me. I was maybe 200 yards from him, but still my old heart was starting to race a little. After seeing the bison throw the grandpa in Yellowstone videos, and the bear grabbing the guy’s arm in the side by side I didn’t want to take any chances. But he just kept coming. After getting some “Money Shots” with both the 600mm + 1.4 TC (840mm) and full body stuff with my 100-500mm.

Once I had some decent photos I decided to hike back to truck to check on Sharon and the dogs. He starting following me. I knew if he continued on that path he would more than likely cross the little creek. I almost didn’t make it to the creek in time but managed to capture him drinking and crossing (Bonus money shots). He ended up walking within 20 feet of the front of my truck and Sharon and dogs even got to see his show. It was cool enough once he got into the woods a was able to capture a decent “Hot Breath” shot with the big lens.

All in all, I took over 600+ photos in my 40 minutes with him, and got Sharon up and out of the valley way before dark. Another special day exploring the Mountains!

Life is good and I am blessed!
Kent Jarrett Photography

10/17/2026

Black Bear cubs are born during the mother's winter sleep, typically between mid-January and early February. They emerge from their Den around 3rd week of April at 12 weeks old. They are called COY's (Cubs of the Year). You can see some new cubs from my June Trip this year. Even at 5 months still pretty small, weighing in around 12-14 pounds. Now at the old age of 10 months old they are really packing on pounds for the upcoming winter, and are weighing in at 50 - 70 pounds. This mom and her two COY's are all looking healthy as they are fattening up on White Oak Acorns. A few from this evening. Pretty dark light when mom was up in the canopy eating acorns. but better light once they decided to come down for me. The mom has a green tag in both ears, and a red tag in her left ear. Maybe Faye Sykes, Rick McCulley Photography, or one of the locals can update us with the mom's name.

The leaf color at elevation is just starting but have made a lot of progress at the last 4 days since we have been here. Tomorrow up and over the mountain to chase North Carolina Elk.

Life is good and I am blessed!

10/14/2026

First bear of the trip, saw three total.

Life is good and I am blessed!

10/11/2026

Trying to not be bored in Central Illinois during retirement. I have started ushering at the local arena for concerts and hockey games. That led the way into becoming one of the photographers for the Center for Performing Arts (BCPA). Last evening was my first gig. A Beatles tribute band called "Yesterday and Today: The Interactive Beatles Experience"

Concert photography is tough. Dark low lighting, flashing colors, all can mess with the captured photos. All in all my Canon R5.2 + RF24-70mm and Canon R5.1 and my old trusty EF70-200mm got the job done.

Life is good and I am blessed!
Kent

09/16/2026

We were invited to spend a couple weeks in Miramar Beach, FL with my sister and Dave. So we loaded up the camper and dogs and headed South. One of the things I wanted to do was see the Blue Angels. They practice every Tuesday at 10:30. I checked my GPS on Monday and it said 58 minutes to get there. We left campsite at 7:45 AM to allow time to get to the flight line for photos. We arrived at 10:24 am after 2:45 in the car due to all the traffic and everybody in our way!

Anyway, it all worked out. I was allowed to use my wagon for 3 chairs and all camera gear. I took my Canon R5.2 with the RF600mm and my R5 with my 100-500mm. The 600 was almost too much lens as I missed some of the shots I wanted. My keeper rate was way better with the 100-500mm. Started off shooting 30 frames per second (fps) but quickly turned them both down to 12 fps.

Lighting was super harsh sunlight and tons of Atmospheric Interference, Jet v***r, backlit, you get the idea. I’m going back next week armed with better camera setting and way more knowledge after being there once.

Anyway, here is some from September 15th practice session, shot from the flight line a couple rows back.

Life is good and I am blessed!

07/19/2026

Was asked to do another surprised engagement session. To fit the groom's schedule we had to shoot in harsh mid-day light with a 65% chance of rain. Thank the lord the rain held off until after the session. What a lovely christian couple to work with! She said YES!

Photos are on the website: https://kentjarrett.com/2026/07/18/cj-millies-engagement/

Life is good and I am blessed!
Kent Jarrett Photography

Was asked to do another surprised engagement session.  To fit the groom’s schedule we had to shoot in harsh mid-day light with a 65% chance of rain.  Thank the lord the rain held of…

07/03/2026

Shot at Lock and Dam 14 on the Iowa side of the Mississippi River

Life is good and I am blessed!

Happy 250th birthday America!

Life is good and we are blessed!

07/02/2026

Happy 250th birthday America!

Life is good and we are blessed!

06/28/2026

Ask me anything!

One of the fellow photographers does an “Ask me anything” post about once a. Month. Some super interesting questions and answers, so I thought I see what’s on your mind. Thought starters (Photograph, gear, camping, animals, 3.0 diesel truck, any of the national parks I’ve been to, StarLink)

Life is good and I am blessed!