A Crossville wildlife photographer secured a repeat selection for TWRA’s annual calendar after submitting a photograph of a black bear mother and her cub.
Bill Gelsleichter said the winning image was captured just outside Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
“I enjoy the wildlife in Tennessee and pretty much anywhere, and it’s just when somebody looks for pictures to showcase that stuff, I just like sending them in,” Gelsleichter said.
Gelsleichter said he previously won a spot in the annual calendar last year with a photograph of a Cooper’s Hawk taken in his own backyard. Gelsleichter said he has practiced photography since high school and has spent the last 10 years of his retirement traveling across the country to take pictures.
Gelsleichter said the process of finding and photographing animals requires a specific set of skills and significant patience.
“Sneaking up on the animal and actually even just finding them,” Gelsleichter said. “You know, you get into the Smokies and you can see a lot of wildlife and stuff, but actually getting some of the pictures that you really have to sneak in and get up pretty early or stay pretty late at night to get your photos.”
Gelsleichter said the diversity of birds and animals found within the state parks and national parks makes Tennessee a beautiful place to observe wildlife. Gelsleichter said he hopes his photography encourages others to plot their own adventures o experience the area’s wilderness.
“I would hope people see it and want to get out and see it, you know, plan camping trips, plan hikes, plan things, you know, to do in the area,” Gelsleichter said. “Tennessee has quite a few national and state parks in it, and there’s something to do for everybody, so it’s something nice that people could do.”
Gelsleichter said he moved to the area from Pennsylvania after living there for more than 50 years. Gelsleichter said his time spent in nature has allowed him to appreciate the beauty of the country and the calm environment of the Great Smoky Mountains.
“Just to have people possibly learn photography, you know, see that it’s a nice way to spend some time and to get out to enjoy nature by using photography as a means to have some fun,” Gelsleichter said.
Gelsleichter’s full portfolio is available for public viewing by searching up ‘Bill Gelsiechter’ on Flickr.