Pika in the green grass at the top of Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Pikas, tiny mammals which thrive in the colder mountain regions, are threatened by climate change and global warming. Needing cooler temperatures for survival they will die if subjected to temps of 77 or above.
Their rounded ears and lack of a tail are distinguishing characteristics of the Pika. They are closely related to the rabbit family.
Blending in almost perfectly with their environment, the rocks are a perfect camouflage.
A Yellow-bellied Marmot also on Trail Ridge Road. They often share the same habitat with the Pika.
A member of the squirrel family, they live in mountainous regions, enjoy the colder weather and hibernate for 8 months during the winter.
Pika are vegetarians and eat different types of grasses throughout the year.
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This marmot is bringing food back to his burrow.
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This Pika is "haying" or storing grass for winter. They do not hibernate and spend the warmer months replenishing their stored food supply for the upcoming winter.
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Smiling Over His Treasure
HERMIT'S PAK, COLORADO, USA - JUNE 24, 2020: A Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrel appears pleased with the snack he has found. He looks as if he is smiling.
Mad Squirrel
HERMIT'S PAK, COLORADO, USA - JUNE 24, 2020: A Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrel chatters angrily at an unseen enemy.
Uh Oh...Caught!
HERMIT'S PAK, COLORADO, USA - JUNE 24, 2020: A Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrel is caught cleaning up the leftovers from my breakfast yogurt.
Guilty With Evidence
HERMIT'S PAK, COLORADO, USA - JUNE 24, 2020: A Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrel realizes he has been caught with the evidence displayed on his nose and whiskers.
From Home Page Collection
Hmmm....What Might This Be?
HERMIT'S PAK, COLORADO, USA - JUNE 24, 2020: A Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrel checks out a citronella candle, hoping that it's food instead.
"Now What Can I Do With This?"
HERMIT'S PAK, COLORADO, USA - JUNE 24, 2020: A curious Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrel checks out my camera left on the picnic table.
From Home Page Collection
A Pika Hurries Home With Its Stash
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK, COLORADO, USA - JUNE 23, 2020: Pika are tiny creatures related to the rabbit. Living only at high elevations, they are considered a sentinal animal for the effects of global warming. They hibernate during the winter munching on the "hay" which they collect during the summer. Photographing them can be a challenge as they are quite fast and skittish. This one has been caught in mid-air, jumping across rocks on his way back to his den, his mouth stufffed with forage for the next winter.
Pika Running Through the Grass
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK, COLORADO, USA - JUNE 23, 2020: Pika are tiny creatures related to the rabbit. Living only at high elevations, they are considered a sentinal animal for the effects of global warming. They hibernate during the winter munching on the "hay" which they collect during the summer. Photographing them can be a challenge as they are quite fast and skittish. Busy little animals, this pika is running through the grass on his way home to his den, his cheeks full of hay.
Pika About to Leap
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK, COLORADO, USA - JUNE 23, 2020: Pika are tiny creatures related to the rabbit. Living only at high elevations, they are considered a sentinal animal for the effects of global warming. They hibernate during the winter munching on the "hay" which they collect during the summer. Photographing them can be a challenge as they are quite fast and skittish. Busy little animals, this pika is about to leap across a depression in the grass on his way home.
Four Feet Off the Ground
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK, COLORADO, USA - JUNE 23, 2020: Pika are tiny creatures related to the rabbit. Living only at high elevations, they are considered a sentinal animal for the effects of global warming. They hibernate during the winter munching on the "hay" which they collect during the summer. Photographing them can be a challenge as they are quite fast and skittish. I caught this guy in mid-air with all four feet off the ground as he makes his way back to his den.
A Split-Second Pose
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK, COLORADO, USA - JUNE 23, 2020: Pika are tiny creatures related to the rabbit. Living only at high elevations, they are considered a sentinal animal for the effects of global warming. They hibernate during the winter munching on the "hay" which they collect during the summer. Photographing them can be a challenge as they are quite fast and skittish. In this image, the pika appears to pose for the shot, but he was only still for a split-second.
Dashing Through the Grass
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK, COLORADO, USA - JUNE 23, 2020: Another pika dashing through the grass, this time with flowers mixed in with his hay.