This time of year, baby animals abound, and their protective mothers are not far behind.
Hiker Rebecca Connell was in for a treat earlier this month while driving through Cades Cove in the Smoky Mountains, as bears are among the most protective and cautious of animal mothers.
As she rounded the bend, she noticed a large mother bear carefully coaxing her four small babies across the road.
The little cubs followed their mother into the woods, one by one, across the road on wobbly legs and tiny paws. From afar, the family looked like a mother duck and her ducklings.
Connell filmed the entire scene while keeping her distance, and thousands of people have viewed and shared the adorable video online.
This mama bear was serious about business, and it was a sweet moment that Connell will never forget.
