Stretch & Yawn

Jay Ryser

Stretch & Yawn

The first image I posted of Larry the Pika yawning was a little overwhelming, and it scared kids, too.

This image is a little more appealing, I think. I managed to catch him in a very brief stretch and yawn before he disappeared back into his burrow under the talus.

I spent most of the morning above 14,000ft, with a mission. I wanted to get some behavioral images of pikas, and Larry being the most accessible pika in Colorado, got the attention.

I got a bunch of the usual pika perched on a rock shots, but also got a few of these and some others with him gathering food for the winter.

I just liked this one so much I wanted to post it right away.

When they spot a predator or potential danger (or if you get too close to their little hay bales), they emit a surprisingly loud EEENK. They also keep themselves in harm’s way to alert their neighbors. It’s more common to hear pikas than see them.

Pikas, and marmots to a lesser extent, are considered at risk species due to climate change and global warming. They live on what is essentially a cold island. They are unable to migrate to different locations, as doing so would require them to cross long stretches of excessively hot ground. Their only alternative is to climb higher and higher up the mountain, and there’s only so much mountain to climb. Most pikas spend their entire lives in a half-mile radius. It’s estimated that pikas cannot survive in temps higher than 75F for more than a few hours.

Pika (Ochotona princeps)
Mt Evans Wilderness Area, CO
Sony a700
Sigma 300mm f/2.8+1.4TC

ISO400, 1/1320sec, f/4.5

Stretch & Yawn belongs to the following groups:

All Animals Great And Small., All That is Nature (Photography Only), AMERICA's National Parks and WILDLIFE Habitat, American Southwest , Colorful Colorado, Endangered Species, Exotic Mammals, High Desert Life, Natural Developments, Nature's Wonders, Squirrels & Chipmunks, Wild Nature Photography & Writing and Wildlife, Landscape, and Nature Photography Online Magazine Available for sale as

Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints and Framed Prints
Stretch & Yawn by Jay Ryser
Stretch & Yawn by Jay Ryser
  • Jan Timmons

    Jan Timmons

    Great shot, Jay. Does this look different than the EEENK! ? Remarkable clarity and yes, quite endearing.

  • Jay Ryser replied

    Oh, EEENK was mild compared to this

  • kaotic-shell

    kaotic-shell

    brilliant capture!!

  • Jay Ryser replied

    It helps to have a great model

  • Marvin Collins

    Marvin Collins

    Excellent capture Jay!!

  • NATURELENS

    NATURELENS

    Lovely image

  • Krys Bailey

    Krys Bailey

    Jay, you are, to me, Missus Marmot, the World’s Best Pika Photographer! This is sooooooo cute! ;o)

  • kathy s gillentine

    kathy s gillen...

    Fantastic capture, what a cutie

  • Lori Peters

    Lori Peters

    Excellent, Jay!! What a cute little pika. xo

  • titus

    titus

    great moment captured.

  • seawhisper

    seawhisper

    another one going to my favs :D

  • lorilee

    lorilee

    Just love these guys – - – a fun shot!!!!!

  • Brandie1

    Brandie1

    Brilliant shot.
    He is so cute.

  • Finbarr Reilly

    Finbarr Reilly

    Awesome capture just brilliant. ;)

  • Rowan Plantagenet

    Rowan Plantag...

    Oh how cute is that!

  • Karen Tillotson

    Karen Tillotson

    FAbulous image!

  • Martina Fagan

    Martina Fagan

    WONDERFUL WOW

  • Donna Ridgway

    Donna Ridgway

    He’s wonderful! :)

  • Brendan Schoon

    Brendan Schoon

    WOW, excellent shot, superb timing! Great detail and DOF! Very well done.
    Brendan

  • Jay Ryser replied

    Thanks Brendan – it’s a labor of love

  • Magaret Meintjes

    Magaret Meintjes

    Congratulations you have just been featured in The Topshelf Wildlife & Nature group! Well done Jay!

  • ccwri

    ccwri

    Congrate on your feature, and even if this is a yawn, this guy looks ferocious!!!!!! Instant fave!!
    Carolyn

  • velveteagle

    velveteagle

    When I first viewed this great shot Jay.. I thought you must have thrown it a hot pepper.. Love it..
    Chuck..

  • Teacup

    Teacup

    just wonderful. a great shot of a great little chap. :)

  • Sandy Stewart

    Sandy Stewart

    Perfect timing for a cool shot of a Pika yawning! Very nicely taken and an instant fav for me! : )

  • Jay Ryser replied

    Thanks Sandy – he is a cute little guy

  • Gary Lengyel

    Gary Lengyel

    Good one!!!!

  • Glenna Walker

    Glenna Walker

    Just an awesome capture of the little guy…so cute!!!

  • Jay Ryser replied

    They’re the most adorable little critters

  • lorilee

    lorilee

    Thank you for adding this wonderful photo to the group, Squirrels and Chipmunks!!!!

  • KMorral

    KMorral

    Nice to see something a bit different, adorable capture.

  • lorilee

    lorilee

    CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! Your ADORABLE photo is being FEATURED in the group, Squirrels and Chipmunks!!!!!

  • DigitallyStill

    DigitallyStill

    Ooooo, so so cute. Congrats on the feature. Well deserved!

    Francine
    DigitallyStill

  • ldeiter78

    ldeiter78

    Very cute!!

  • Kay Kempton Raade

    Kay Kempton Raade

    Greata Pika face—maybe you should put Larry in the captions group. I was even thinking “Eeek, a mouse!”

  • Louise Linossi Telfer

    Louise Linossi... 17 days ago

    i have never seen opne of these fellows. You have captured a very cute moment, your patience was rewarded. Great clarity

  • Kadri Laanes

    Kadri Laanes 16 days ago

    so cute

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