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.
parth893 says:
Wow So cute & kinda hard working 😀 ❤
LikeLike
lylekrahn says:
Thank. Cute and hard working are great descriptions. It never stopped its activity at all.
LikeLike
Mark says:
A mammal I really want to spend some time photographing sometime this Lyle – nice capture.
LikeLike
lylekrahn says:
Thanks. I have a soft spot for this cute little guy.
LikeLike
saharkarami says:
Cute!and a great image that deserves both my thumbs, dear friend 🙂
LikeLike
lylekrahn says:
Thanks. It is pretty cute.
LikeLike
janina says:
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
lylekrahn says:
Yes the whiskers is what really got me. Thanks.
LikeLike
lexi says:
I’m in love. What a precious photo. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
lylekrahn says:
Appreciate that.
LikeLike
mariayarri says:
What a sweet little one ! it´s a great photo and i love it . // Maria
LikeLike
lylekrahn says:
Thanks so much.
LikeLike
rabirius says:
Brilliant.
LikeLike
lylekrahn says:
Thanks
LikeLike
morgenfuglen says:
I love this photo!
LikeLike
lylekrahn says:
Glad you liked it. I think it’s one of my favourites.
LikeLike
morgenfuglen says:
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
lylekrahn says:
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
morgenfuglen says:
I’m glad you liked them 🙂
I can well imagine it turning into an expensive hobby 😉
LikeLike
FeyGirl says:
What a WONDERFUL capture….! I’ve never seen these sweethearts.
LikeLike
lylekrahn says:
Thanks. I have really grown to like them.
LikeLike
Stephen G. Hipperson says:
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
lylekrahn says:
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
Stephen G. Hipperson says:
I’m guessing it must be a tiny fly or something.
LikeLike
lylekrahn says:
I think you’re right.
LikeLike
Stefano says:
Great photograph, Lyle. Great job.
LikeLike
lylekrahn says:
I appreciate that.
LikeLike
theamateurcamera says:
Absolutely fantastic! Such a wonderful shot, love this! 🙂
LikeLike
lylekrahn says:
Thanks for the comment.
LikeLike
Deb W. Trotter says:
Posing or daring?! 🙂
LikeLike
lylekrahn says:
Exactly.
LikeLike
hannele says:
Great photo, but also story about the life of a nature photographer. It often involves waiting, observing and knowing an area. 🙂
LikeLike
lylekrahn says:
That’s true. I’m learning how much more of those three I need to do.
LikeLike
doraiswamyganesh says:
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
lylekrahn says:
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
westerner54 says:
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
lylekrahn says:
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
Mandy says:
You’re too good! Thanks for the post.
LikeLike
lylekrahn says:
I’m not sure about that but I’m glad you liked it.
LikeLike
The Earth Beneath My Feet says:
Super cute! He looks a little like the Dassies you find on Table Mountain.
LikeLike
lylekrahn says:
Thanks. They definitely have a cute factor.
LikeLike
Gunta says:
What a perfect catch! Your extraordinary patience well rewarded.
LikeLike
lylekrahn says:
Thanks. Some days the patience works a lot better than others.
LikeLike
Pam says:
How cute! I have looked for them but never been lucky enough to see them. Great pic!
LikeLike
lylekrahn says:
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