In the high elevations of Colorado's Rocky Mountains, small rabbit-like creatures called pikas have become the subjects of some of the most adorable wildlife photography you'll ever see. Two dedicated photographers are not only capturing these charming animals but also working to raise awareness about their conservation through their stunning imagery.
Aaron Cox of Aaron's Wild Images and Deena Sveinsson of Deena Sveinsson Photography have both mastered the challenging art of pika photography. These potato-sized creatures present unique obstacles for photographers due to their incredibly fast movements and unpredictable behavior. "They're very fast-moving animals, so trying to predict where they're going to be in the shot can be very difficult," Cox explained.
Successful pika photography goes beyond technical skill – it requires building a relationship with these mountain dwellers. Sveinsson emphasizes the importance of patience and familiarity: "If you spend enough time with them and they get to know you, they start feeling more comfortable with you. That's when they allow you to get a little closer and see behaviors they might not show other people."
One of Sveinsson's most remarkable shots shows a fully airborne pika eyeing the camera with a mouthful of flowers – a photograph that required years of dedication to achieve. "I've been trying for years to get this type of photograph to be ground level. A lot of places you can take photos of pikas, you're looking down on them or they're quite the distance away," she said. "It's taken a lot of work, a lot of misfiring, misfocusing, a lot of bad photographs, even ones without pikas in them because they're so quick."
Cox has similarly invested thousands of photos in pursuit of the perfect pika shots across Colorado's mountains. His goal is capturing the individual personalities of these creatures: "I try to catch their personalities – what makes each animal individual. Sometimes they're aggressive, sometimes they're doing funny things. I want to capture them in certain moods and personalities and show them to the best they can be."
The paths that led these photographers to pika expertise were distinctly different. For Sveinsson, a lifelong passion for lagomorphs – the zoological family that includes rabbits, hares, and pikas – came first. "It was actually the subjects that drew me into wanting to do photography," she revealed. She has owned rabbits since childhood and currently keeps two giant continental rabbits, Jackson and Cooper, as pets in her Estes Park home.
Cox's journey took the opposite route. He describes photography as an "obsession" but didn't know what a pika was until just a few years ago. His interest in wildlife photography intersected with his love of off-roading and hiking, leading him to first hear the distinctive squeak of pikas, then discover the animals themselves through his camera lens. "They're a very fascinating animal, so it's been a great journey to learn about them as well as photograph them," he noted.
The timing of this photographic mission carries special significance. The National Park Service has designated pikas as an indicator species for monitoring the potential impacts of climate change. These animals are highly intolerant to heat and dependent on snowpack for survival. Rising temperatures are negatively affecting their habitat and forcing them to seek refuge at increasingly higher elevations, raising concerns that even Colorado's highest peaks could eventually become unsuitable for pika survival.
The threat is already materializing in other regions, with temperature increases contributing to declining pika populations in places like California's Sierra Nevada mountains. However, conservation efforts are underway to address these challenges. Both photographers have been involved with the Colorado Pika Project, an initiative dedicated to protecting Colorado's pika population, understanding climate change impacts, and educating the public about these remarkable animals.
The Colorado Pika Project actively monitors pikas throughout the state and encourages citizen participation by allowing users to share pika photographs, helping gather crucial data about where these animals are currently living in Colorado. This collaborative approach combines scientific research with public engagement to support conservation efforts.
Both photographers frequently work in Estes Park – Sveinsson's hometown and just a 45-minute drive from Windsor for Cox – as well as Rocky Mountain National Park. These locations offer breathtaking scenery and exceptional wildlife diversity that attracts photographers from around the world.
Cox reflects on Colorado's natural wealth: "I think a lot of people take Colorado for granted. A lot of people I grew up with have never been on Trail Ridge or been down the San Juan Mountains, or even seen half the animals that I photograph. We've got people from all over the world that want to see these animals. It's a pretty fortunate place to grow up and be able to visit."
The state's natural beauty has fostered a vibrant photography community that brings together people from diverse backgrounds. "The photography community in Colorado is really cool," Cox observed. "You start meeting people in one place, and then you'll see them again hours away photographing something totally different. It brings people from all ages and backgrounds together."
For Sveinsson, the work extends far beyond creating beautiful images. She finds deep satisfaction in using photography as a conservation tool: "Turning the ordinary into the extraordinary makes me happy. When I can introduce somebody to a species or behavior, it's a rush." Her passion enables her to endure challenging conditions that others might avoid: "Because I have that passion, I'm able to spend days and hours out in the weather, in conditions I wouldn't normally go out in, because I love taking photographs of these animals."
Through their dedication to both artistic excellence and conservation awareness, these photographers are ensuring that Colorado's pikas receive the attention and protection they deserve while there's still time to preserve their mountain habitat for future generations.
