AT THE TOP OF THE ROCKIES with Pika

Related to the rabbit family,.
These little guys are hard to spot among the rocky crevices of the tundra .

So small, a pika could fit in the palm of my hand.
That is, if he ever stopped scampering across the rocks.
And if he wasn't so wary of people.

I usually hear a pika before I see one.
They emit a surprisingly loud squeak.
To warn of incoming predators.
Or, to just plain communicate.

Today, they weren't trying to stockpile food for the winter.
Which takes a lot of their time since they don't hibernate.
Eeeesh. Imagine living year round above 11,000 ft.

So, we were blessed with brief pauses.
With time for our len's to focus.