Growing up I was intrigued by the Where’s Waldo series. The objective was to find a funny looking guy in a maze of brightly coloured stuff.
My first encounter with a pica was exactly the same. We were walking along a mountain path and heard a squeak. Turning around we saw a large pile of rocks with a million places to hide but no animal.
The squeaks kept coming until finally we saw a pica dart between rocks. We had to be quick. Once we focused on the pica it seemed reasonably obvious but turn away for a second and it was very hard to find again.
Years later, I knew where the pica types hung out. I sat down with my camera and waited. Sure enough a squeak and some motion and I was in business. The longer I sat there, the more predictable the pica became. It would grab some grass, run up to a rock to look over at me (posing really), then disappear behind a nearby rock. It would then reverse the process.
Eventually even I can see a pattern developing and focused on the posing rock. That was a fun afternoon.
Krahnpix 
Wow So cute & kinda hard working 😀 ❤
LikeLike
Thank. Cute and hard working are great descriptions. It never stopped its activity at all.
LikeLike
A mammal I really want to spend some time photographing sometime this Lyle – nice capture.
LikeLike
Thanks. I have a soft spot for this cute little guy.
LikeLike
Cute!and a great image that deserves both my thumbs, dear friend 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks. It is pretty cute.
LikeLike
Such industrious little cuties….this one is an award-winning pic, in my view! Love the detail of the whiskers…..and that cute expression!
LikeLike
Yes the whiskers is what really got me. Thanks.
LikeLike
I’m in love. What a precious photo. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
Appreciate that.
LikeLike
What a sweet little one ! it´s a great photo and i love it . // Maria
LikeLike
Thanks so much.
LikeLike
Brilliant.
LikeLike
Thanks
LikeLike
I love this photo!
LikeLike
Glad you liked it. I think it’s one of my favourites.
LikeLike
You have so many beautiful photos. Are you doing it for a living?
I was surprised to see you liking my stress-post, as it was mostly me whining before an exam. Did you like any of my deer photos? I’m planning to be posting more photos once I get some more spare time 🙂
Mine are not as professional as yours, but it is still a nice hobby 🙂
LikeLike
Glad you like my photos. They are a hobby for me and sometimes an expensive one. You deer photos were good – you really caught that one running.
LikeLike
I’m glad you liked them 🙂
I can well imagine it turning into an expensive hobby 😉
LikeLike
What a WONDERFUL capture….! I’ve never seen these sweethearts.
LikeLike
Thanks. I have really grown to like them.
LikeLike
Most excellent.
I can’t help but notice the little dot of colour just above the whisker to the right – I don’t think it’s a dust spot, and can’t think what it might be, but once your eye grabs it….. be worth spotting that out?
LikeLike
Thanks. You raised a good point. I had actually seen that before and took it out – I must have uploaded the wrong version and I’m away from home without access to them now.
LikeLike
I’m guessing it must be a tiny fly or something.
LikeLike
I think you’re right.
LikeLike
Great photograph, Lyle. Great job.
LikeLike
I appreciate that.
LikeLike
Absolutely fantastic! Such a wonderful shot, love this! 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks for the comment.
LikeLike
Posing or daring?! 🙂
LikeLike
Exactly.
LikeLike
Great photo, but also story about the life of a nature photographer. It often involves waiting, observing and knowing an area. 🙂
LikeLike
That’s true. I’m learning how much more of those three I need to do.
LikeLike
Dear Lyle, I thought that I am a very patient person till I started viewing your lovely photographs,which indeed are results of not only tremendous patience but sincere and genuine perseverance,just like the Pica trying to build a comfortable home.Great shot dear friend.Regards, Ganesh.
LikeLike
Thank you for the kind comments. In this case patience did pay off but I still have much to learn in that area. When I can see the wild animal it’s much easier to be patient.
LikeLike
I’m slowly learning just how important patience is. Whenever I start to give in to impatience and the temptation to just move somewhere else and see what’s going on “over there” I think about your great photographs and the possible rewards of staying put. So…thanks!
LikeLike
Well that makes two of us then. I am by nature not very patient and I think I still have much to learn in that area. When I don’t see anything I get restless. I’m glad you like my photos.
LikeLike
You’re too good! Thanks for the post.
LikeLike
I’m not sure about that but I’m glad you liked it.
LikeLike
Super cute! He looks a little like the Dassies you find on Table Mountain.
LikeLike
Thanks. They definitely have a cute factor.
LikeLike
What a perfect catch! Your extraordinary patience well rewarded.
LikeLike
Thanks. Some days the patience works a lot better than others.
LikeLike
How cute! I have looked for them but never been lucky enough to see them. Great pic!
LikeLike
Thanks. They can be tricky to find even if you hear them. Look away and it’s hard to locate them again. It makes it fun.
LikeLike