Animals in Trees, And We're Not Talking Squirrels

Black Bears love trees. In the springtime they climb trees to eat the fresh buds like this bear in late May (That's Mount Robson, British Columbia in the background):

In the fall bears climb pine trees to eat the nuts, like this bear in late September:

They'll stay in trees for hours, until all the food is gone. It is fascinating to watch. As you might think, the tree sways as they climb. But, once the bear gets to the spot it wants, it "settles" in, distributing it's weight appropriately until the tree sways no more. Only then does the bear begin eating. Once everything within reach is eaten, he will move up the tree a bit and start all over.

But they will also climb trees -- sometimes -- when frightened, such as this bear I came across in British Columbia:

And, then sometimes black bears will climb trees just for fun, as with these black bear cubs: