Ever since I got my first photo of an American Pika, I’ve wanted to photograph one in the snow. Snow defines their lives, driving them to spend the summer gathering hay to feed on in the snowy season, and providing a thick blanket to shelter and insulate their talus homes during the winter.
Unfortunately, their habitats are very challenging to access during the winter. Once there’s enough snow, the roads close for the season, and then only mountaineers can access their habitat. After a storm dumped just enough snow in the Sierra to cover the landscape without closing the roads for the season, I was able to make it out of my favorite pika spot.
The pikas aren’t nearly as active in the winter as they are in the summer. That made it hard to get the shot I really wanted, which was a pika on a snowy rock with a snow-covered peak in the background. Still, this shot was a unique look at these hardy little rock rabbits. Also, a great illustration of why the best way to find pikas is to listen for them!
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