Pikas!
Aug 26, 2021 11:02:12 #
Someone mentioned they hoped I posted some pika photos. Many where taken while I was waiting for the weasel to return so they are pretty well cropped. I think these guys are adorable so I have a lot of shots.
There will be a part 2!
For those who don't know these guys live at high altitude, do not hibernate and collect enough food to last the winter in their dens under the snow. They are somewhat endangered as their numbers are decreasing. They are part of the rabbit family! If you are in the high country and see a large rock field and hear a high pitched squeak, it is most likely a pika!
P.S. I was really trying on these to get all the elements I learned in my class like creamy background, no shadows, leading lines, eye level and well, how much emotion does one get from a pika...just their cuteness!
There will be a part 2!
For those who don't know these guys live at high altitude, do not hibernate and collect enough food to last the winter in their dens under the snow. They are somewhat endangered as their numbers are decreasing. They are part of the rabbit family! If you are in the high country and see a large rock field and hear a high pitched squeak, it is most likely a pika!
P.S. I was really trying on these to get all the elements I learned in my class like creamy background, no shadows, leading lines, eye level and well, how much emotion does one get from a pika...just their cuteness!
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Aug 26, 2021 11:08:23 #
Tdearing
Loc: Rockport, TX
They are great pictures, I've never heard of a Pica before - cute little animal.
Aug 26, 2021 11:09:05 #
Cute, and as always, extremely well photographed. Will have to do a bit of research to see if there are any around here. Have never seen one. Edit: Nope, we're only around 4,000 - they want 8,000 plus. Thanks, learned something!
Aug 26, 2021 11:12:17 #
Aug 26, 2021 11:13:19 #
Aug 26, 2021 11:22:49 #
Aug 26, 2021 11:24:47 #
Aug 26, 2021 11:34:08 #
Great set. Back when I was young I used to hear them often and see them occasionally when back packing the Sierras. If you do close up/macro the lichen on the rocks could provide some interesting shots.
Aug 26, 2021 11:48:06 #
alliebess
Loc: suburban Philadelphia
Excellent. Cute little critters. And the rocks are also interesting.
Aug 26, 2021 11:49:47 #
Excellent, Beth! That delivers 100% of the recommended daily dose of cute.
Aug 26, 2021 12:03:58 #
Aug 26, 2021 12:29:16 #
Excellent set! We've been photographing them for several years. Got to have your listening ears on and do some staring! We've heard that are moving to even higher elevations as we warm up.
Aug 26, 2021 13:07:36 #
Aug 26, 2021 14:25:42 #
Aug 26, 2021 14:35:52 #
Photolady2014, Thanks for your post of the pikas. The first one is my favorite and deserves to be a large print on your wall. Several of your fine photos show molting in process. The lighter colored, shorter hair for spring and summer and the longer darker hair for winter. There is a legal pull off near the summit shop up from the East Entrance on Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mt National Park that is good for viewing pikas and yellow-bellied marmots. The boulder field is on the southside of the road, below a stone barrier fence. With the recent snows, Trail Ridge may be closed for the winter.
The first one is my favorite and deserves to be a large print on your wall. Several of your fine photos show molting in process. The lighter colored, shorter hair for spring and summer and the longer darker hair for winter. There is a legal pull off near the summit shop up from the East Entrance on Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mt National Park that is good for viewing pikas and yellow-bellied marmots. The boulder field is on the southside of the road, below a stone barrier fence. With the recent snows, Trail Ridge may be closed for the winter.
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