If this were a bigger critter, it might be intimidating. 😉

Always one of the highlights of my high altitude visitors are these little dudes. Staking out some of my usual spots among the rocks on Mount Evans yesterday, I could hear them frequently but was only able to get good pics of one. This guy (or gal) was unbothered by my presence and came right up to me. Here you can see it as it approached.

Usually found above timberline in western North America, these tiny residents are among the high altitude’s most active – during the summer. Despite their size, they are among the toughest mammals, spending their entire lives in the harsh, high altitude environment.

It is said this species of pika may become a victim of a warming climate. Studies suggest the American Pika is being driven to higher elevations in search of cooler temperatures. As it moves higher however, it could eventually run out of places to go.

Such a cutie! I had a rather charmed encounter with this little critter back in August. I hiked into a talus field near the top of Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park hoping to catch images of some of the Pika as they scurried about. This particular one proved to be highly entertaining.

It was quite tolerant of me, approaching at times within a foot of me, sometimes pausing to check me out and make sure I meant no harm but largely going about its busy work. This afforded me the opportunity to get some great captures, including this one as it cleaned up after having a morning snack.

It is pretty rare that the tiny American Pika stops long enough for you to compose a nice closeup. This particular one though did just that for me back in August. Despite the fact I was hanging out mere feet from its den, it seemed to revel in all the attention I was giving it and was very comfortable with me.

More than once we shared the same rock in the talus field as it would scurry right by me, sometimes pausing, sometimes rushing about gathering food to stash in its den for the season.

One time it made me a bit uncomfortable by actually stopping and resting on my foot! I couldn’t help but worry about the little dude scurrying up my pant leg. Ha! Unfortunately that was too close for my lens to focus to get it sitting there but it was kind of fun.

Right now these little ones are staying warm inside their dens, many probably under the snow by now. They don’t hibernate so rely on food they gathered during the summer months to sustain them.

This cute American Pika provided me an hour worth of entertainment last month. It knew the change of seasons was coming and was busily gathering food for the coming winter. Back and forth it would go from its burrow to the small patches of grass and flowers that dotted the talus field where it lives. As you can tell, it tried to make the most out of each trip. 😉

With snow now having fallen in the high country at their homes, these little guys are going to be furiously working to prep for their long wait until spring.

Arguably one of the most entertaining creatures you will find in the high country – the American Pika.

These little guys are incredibly animated and always on the move. From the time they emerge from their burrows in the spring, they immediately begin preparing for the next winter, gathering food and stashing it away.

This past weekend, I spent an hour or so with this particular one near the top of Trail Ridge Road. It was quite tolerant of me, approaching at times within a foot of me, sometimes pausing to check me out and make sure I meant no harm but largely going about its busy work.

On one trip looking for food, it paused nearby, looked at me, and gave me a quick ‘bark’ – the distinctive sound that is almost like a chirp that they make. I’m not sure what message it was trying to convey, perhaps just letting me know how tough it was and that I better not pull anything. 😉