Linda Wallace's Memorable Pika Moment

Travel, Stories and Photos

"One afternoon I was sitting on the white talus which descended into one of the lakes. I was taking in the magnificent scenery when I felt something on the top of my foot. I looked down to see a small furry creature, the color of my dusty sneaker. Although I didn't know who this was at the time, it was the pika. My shoe seemed to blend in with the color of the talus rocks and the pika sat quite comfortably on my foot for several minutes as both of us gazed out over the lake. Eventually, he scampered off, leaving me with the feeling that I'd been welcomed into this piece of wilderness I was experiencing for the first time.

"Years later when snowshoeing with friends in Yosemite, I learned that they each had taken a totem animal for their own during a previous trip into the Sierra. They urged me to identify my totem animal. The memory of my afternoon visit by the pika on my first journey into the wilderness popped into my mind and I knew I had my totem animal.

I have since found many pikas in the Yellowstone Ecosystem and often am able to introduce them to the clients I guide through the park. Pikas never fail to intrigue and please visitors who are fortunate enough to see them. It has been distressing to learn that this smallest member of the rabbit family is in decline as global warming threatens and shrinks its alpine habitat. I hope we can save the pikas!"