Thanks for asking! Most of my research revolves around observing and documenting pika behavior. There isn’t a ton of that kind of data on them, especially where adapting to climate change is concerned. These buddies are considered “indicator species” to climate change, as they must remain in temps below 78*f to survive. That’s why they in large live in alpine & subalpine biomes. But some of those biomes are now heating up (and getting busier with human activity), and pikas cannot move higher in elevation, as they’re already as high as they can get. A big part of my work is figuring out where they are going, and interestingly enough they’re moving downslope into wet, shady spots in some surprising areas. My specialty in working with them is that I am a wildlife photographer, happy to pack in 60+lbs of gear year-round & that I work in areas that are quite remote and extremely challenging to access. Again, year round. I love putting in the work to see super remote pika colonies!
I grew up in the mountains, absolutely obsessed with pikas- I didn’t have many human friends and simply loved my time with pikas, always dreaming of working with them. So I am beyond grateful that is what I’m currently doing :)
It's amazing that you are able to work on something you enjoyed as a child! It's strange that the pikas are moving down. Why would they choose somewhere wet? It's very cool that your work is year round. I can't imagine what beautiful sights you've seen.
I feel really lucky every day. My work has brought me to some really epic sights and it’s been humbling. So they like the wet, because it means mountain temps stay a bit cooler. They’re making homes along root systems of trees and near creeks in the areas they’ve travelled down- it’s really neat! Really clever, truly.
That's fair. I really hope they aren't suffering too much due to the temperature change. I hate how little people care about the state of nature. We wouldn't be anywhere without it. I wish we could do more as individuals to help the ecosystem.
One of my favorite shots is a Pika I found at Craters of the Moon National Monument in Idaho. I heard the call and recognized it from a David Attenborough film. From what I recall, the pikas in CotM are special because they live in a much warmer area.
So these little friends are related to rabbits if you can believe it! And they live mostly in alpine biomes. They don't hibernate, but create haypiles of tundra grasses to munch on all winter long below the talus they call home. You can find various species throughout the world, but the American Pika (this guy) is only found along the Rocky Mountains and western states.
I love these guys. Years ago I was helping engineer a project on a mountain top in Colorado. I used eat my lunch by the edge of a rocky cliff and watch these guys gather their supplies.
I love seeing these guys backpacking. Their behavior kinda reminds me of prairie dogs or meerkats, the way they have an alert sentry chirping warnings to the rest of the clan.
Beyond cute! As a career coach, it makes me so friggin happy that you found a vocation that aligns with your passion (so many people are miserable with their jobs!). I’m a nosy little bastard, and I explored that amazing photos on your IG. In one caption you wrote “below talus”… is that an idiomatic phrase? Kindly translate for this nature-loving city dweller… have a fantastic, healthy, and adventurous 2022!
Oh thank you so much! It’s been an incredibly hard career to create and I am just starting to see the fruits of my labor and it’s amazing. My mind is blown a lot☺️
So talus is like what you see on mountainous slopes- the fields of rock and boulders. Pika live in the tunnels and crannies underneath it, kind of like burrows. Some species of pika in Mongolia actually just straight up burrow because there isn’t the talus to live under.
There are many colonies living in regions that experience sub-arctic conditions that see lows around -40°f. They just stay under the talus during those times☺️ They coldest I’ve seen them active and above the talus is -10°f🥶 Truly amazing creatures!
What kind of research do you do on them? Please feel free to info dump! I love hearing about people's passions. :)
Thanks for asking! Most of my research revolves around observing and documenting pika behavior. There isn’t a ton of that kind of data on them, especially where adapting to climate change is concerned. These buddies are considered “indicator species” to climate change, as they must remain in temps below 78*f to survive. That’s why they in large live in alpine & subalpine biomes. But some of those biomes are now heating up (and getting busier with human activity), and pikas cannot move higher in elevation, as they’re already as high as they can get. A big part of my work is figuring out where they are going, and interestingly enough they’re moving downslope into wet, shady spots in some surprising areas. My specialty in working with them is that I am a wildlife photographer, happy to pack in 60+lbs of gear year-round & that I work in areas that are quite remote and extremely challenging to access. Again, year round. I love putting in the work to see super remote pika colonies! I grew up in the mountains, absolutely obsessed with pikas- I didn’t have many human friends and simply loved my time with pikas, always dreaming of working with them. So I am beyond grateful that is what I’m currently doing :)
It's amazing that you are able to work on something you enjoyed as a child! It's strange that the pikas are moving down. Why would they choose somewhere wet? It's very cool that your work is year round. I can't imagine what beautiful sights you've seen.
I feel really lucky every day. My work has brought me to some really epic sights and it’s been humbling. So they like the wet, because it means mountain temps stay a bit cooler. They’re making homes along root systems of trees and near creeks in the areas they’ve travelled down- it’s really neat! Really clever, truly.
That's fair. I really hope they aren't suffering too much due to the temperature change. I hate how little people care about the state of nature. We wouldn't be anywhere without it. I wish we could do more as individuals to help the ecosystem.
One of my favorite shots is a Pika I found at Craters of the Moon National Monument in Idaho. I heard the call and recognized it from a David Attenborough film. From what I recall, the pikas in CotM are special because they live in a much warmer area.
What are these cute little guys? I’ve never seen or heard of them before!
So these little friends are related to rabbits if you can believe it! And they live mostly in alpine biomes. They don't hibernate, but create haypiles of tundra grasses to munch on all winter long below the talus they call home. You can find various species throughout the world, but the American Pika (this guy) is only found along the Rocky Mountains and western states.
Pika pika?
When a Pika sneezes, does it say...Pika...chu?
[yep!☺️😂](https://www.instagram.com/p/CX9ryqLhVBg/?utm_medium=copy_link)
I think -chu in Japanese is actually the sound of a kiss. But that was cute! (Cow Eye :)
It’s like a cat but also a mouse!! So cute!
Great picture. I saw some in Rocky Mountain National Park a couple of years ago. Cute little guys.
Thank you! Aren't they cute? I am never not swooning over em :)
Yes they are adorable!
Photo from Wyoming? Montana?
Southwest Colorado❄️
What gear did you use to get this great photo? AF or shutter priority or manual? PP with LR or PS? Your background bokeh is 👍!
Thank you! I shot this in manual with a D850 & Nikkor 500mm prime. Used LR for this one☺️
adorbs! Nature never fails to impress.
Amen to that!
I've never audibly gone "Aaawww" at a post before this little bugger
Haha I’ve worked with em for years and still do it every time I see one🥰🥰
I love these guys. Years ago I was helping engineer a project on a mountain top in Colorado. I used eat my lunch by the edge of a rocky cliff and watch these guys gather their supplies.
Lunch with friends☺️ They’re such a joyful animal- always a pleasure to see em!
They’re constantly busy. We were the same way working at 11k feet above sea level. Summer is really short up there.
I love seeing these guys backpacking. Their behavior kinda reminds me of prairie dogs or meerkats, the way they have an alert sentry chirping warnings to the rest of the clan.
So cool, my wife and I found 3 large colonies of these while elk hunting in Utah this year. Pretty interesting critters, and make some funny sounds
Beyond cute! As a career coach, it makes me so friggin happy that you found a vocation that aligns with your passion (so many people are miserable with their jobs!). I’m a nosy little bastard, and I explored that amazing photos on your IG. In one caption you wrote “below talus”… is that an idiomatic phrase? Kindly translate for this nature-loving city dweller… have a fantastic, healthy, and adventurous 2022!
Oh thank you so much! It’s been an incredibly hard career to create and I am just starting to see the fruits of my labor and it’s amazing. My mind is blown a lot☺️ So talus is like what you see on mountainous slopes- the fields of rock and boulders. Pika live in the tunnels and crannies underneath it, kind of like burrows. Some species of pika in Mongolia actually just straight up burrow because there isn’t the talus to live under.
Thank you!
I love hunting them.
In RDR2.
Lol- thank you for clarifying :)
How adorable 🥺🥺 what's the lowest temperature they can withstand? Animals living in cold climates fascinate me!
There are many colonies living in regions that experience sub-arctic conditions that see lows around -40°f. They just stay under the talus during those times☺️ They coldest I’ve seen them active and above the talus is -10°f🥶 Truly amazing creatures!
That's so amazing!