Alex Bauch
American Pika
鈥淎mong the smallest yet most charismatic of Colorado鈥檚 wildlife, the American pika is the alpinist cousin of the cottontail rabbit. Pikas have adapted to life at the roof of the Rockies, nearly exclusively inhabiting steep rock fields above tree line. If you鈥檝e ever had the privilege to traverse such terrain, you have likely heard the terse shrieks pikas emit to locate each other among the boulders and warn of nearby predators. Despite the long, bitter cold of mountain winters, these animals do not hibernate, opting instead for a behavior called 鈥榟aying鈥 in which the industrious pika amasses huge larders of dried summer grasses for consumption during the snowy months. For their busybody nature and general bravery in the presence of people, pikas are one of my favorite wild subjects to photograph. This image was taken in June atop Arapahoe Pass in the Indian Peaks Wilderness, when the pika鈥檚 haying season is just beginning.鈥
About the Artist
Alex Bauch studies water resources engineering and hydrology in CU鈥檚 civil engineering M.S. program. His study of water stems from his love of using and recreating on water resources. When he isn鈥檛 doing schoolwork he can often be found fly-fishing local creeks or photographing the wildlife that congregates around them. He has a special interest in capturing images of life in the alpine environment. The biota above tree line are uniquely sensitive to our warming climate, and he hopes to raise awareness of the challenges they face through the perspective of his camera lens.
See more of Alex鈥檚 work at
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