Who has seen a Pika?
Although subalpine hikers sometimes hear its warning, eeep, spotting this potato-sized relative of the hare is difficult when it is at home in the talus, for it blends well. Pikas do make quick trips to the edges of the talus to collect vegetation to eat and store for the winter.
It would have been fun to watch a Pika do something interesting, such as foraging or eating, but in the end, I was just pleased to be close enough to take a few pictures.
A Pika peeks from its rocky cover to see if it is safe to forage.
It spots an intruder and quickly retreats to its hidden realm.
Wonderful!
Sweet neckless hare- sister.
As an exchange English teacher from Scotland in the early 1970’s, I taught Earl Birney’s poem, ‘David’. There is a reference to ” invisible pika” in the poem:I looked up the word but couldn’t understand why “invisible”. Now I understand from your terrific photos and description. Thanks for clearing up a puzzle.
Alastair, it is odd how a line like that can stick in one’s memory. I have just read the poem. It is filled with realistic imagery of the high country and the delight of discovering that world: navigating scree, slipping mountain goats, and the invisible pika. So nice, thank you — but it ends in pathos. I have known of Earl Birney since childhood when my father told me that he had served with him overseas during the War.