Photographer Luckily Meets The World’s Most Lovely ‘Florist’ Animals
These tiny creatures, closely related to rabbits, spend their days in rocky outcrops at higher altitudes, carefully searching for their favorite cuisine: wildflowers.
But these pint-sized foragers do more than just nibble. To ensure they have enough food to survive through the harsh winter months when fresh flowers are scarce, pikas gather and preserve colorful bouquets when the blooms are abundant. They're very clever and hard-working, aren’t they?
Capturing this flower-gathering scene on camera is no easy task due to the swiftness and small size of these creatures. Yet, late last month, photographer Charles Haupert found himself in the perfect position during a hike in Colorado.
In the distance, a tiny pika was about to show off its skills as Mother Nature's most adorable florist. And it was fortunate timing for Haupert.
“I’ve seen them collecting flowers before, but never have been quick enough on the draw [with my camera] to get it in action,” Haupert told The Dodo. “They are always on the move.”
But that day was totally different. Haupert had his camera positioned and ready.
As Haupert observed, the pika hopped among a floral patch amidst the rocks, skillfully grabbing flowers into its mouth as it went. Then the pika gathered as much as it could carry and started its journey.
"All in all, they are incredibly cute," Haupert noted. "[She] headed down the mountain, over larger boulders, to hide what was picked."
Along the way, she paused just long enough for Haupert to snap her portrait.
"They then disappear pretty quick," Haupert said. "You can hear them chirp, but sometimes they are tough to see."
And just like that, the pika and her floral treasure vanished from sight. This short encounter with the American pika, captured through Haupert's lens, lasted only a minute. Still, Haupert considers himself fortunate to have had the opportunity.
"It was really just being at the right place and right time," he said.