Last pika visit of the year!

Sophie and Petey both came out to say hello during my weekly pika survey on November 2, and Sophie even ate her lunch with me. I am glad they were both feeling social on this trip, as Tioga Pass has now closed for the season, and I will have to wait until spring for a reunion with my pika friends.

Baby marmots in Yosemite

While lunching at my usual pika monitoring site at Gaylor Lake In Yosemite last week, and enjoying the company of adorable pika, suddenly we hit cute overload when five baby marmots decided to join our party. Marmots usually give birth to 4-5 offspring, but litters have been observed up to eight in size. I feel fortunate these likely siblings decided to have a family playdate with me!

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