Can Grizzly Bears climb trees? Yes. They aren’t as good at it as are Black Bears, but as long as there are plenty of branches to grasp, they will happily climb. This is the story of grizzlies in a black-hawthorn tree.
It is October and steam fog rises from the fish-filled streams that flow into Kootenay Lake.
A family of Grizzly Bears patrols the shoreline.
However, these grizzlies seek berries from trees rather than fish from the stream.
Alas, the Kokanee salmon are in the deeper water out of easy reach of bears. This will change after the fish spawn, die, and float towards the shore.
The sow (centre top) and her male cub (right top) climbed high in a black-hawthorn tree. The female cub (centre bottom) tried to climb, but was too small to manage it. 
The sow fed on black-hawthorn berries,
as did her son.
Because her hungary daughter could not climb the tree, the sow tried to break off a branch to drop it to her. She failed and so climbed down, found a smaller tree and knocked it over so her daughter could feed.
The family then wandered off in search of more berries. Soon they will feast on Kokanee salmon.
Wow!! Fantastic photos. I know where I want to be with my camera next October!
And a wonderful story it is! With stunning photography as usual. Thanks Alistair
Remarkable sequence Alistair! I always wondered about the claim concerning grizzlies and tree climbing…
Superb series!
Very nice Alistair. Interesting seeing different perspectives.
Thank you, Alistair. I’ve never seen anything like this and I feel awed and speechless.
Thank you so much!
My favorites are #1, #4, #5, #6, #9. The berry-licking sow photo is such a great moment. In #3, are the grooves the bear’s nose healed injuries from getting clawed by other bears?
Cynthia, I have always assumed that another bear was the cause of the injured noise. Incidentally, this is the same sow that you photographed in 2010, but different cubs.