23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Wildlife
A Leafy Morsel

Pika are known for harvesting vegetation and caching the dried leaves and grasses under rocks. Since pika do not hibernate, the resulting "haystacks" are essential sources of nutrition provide nutrition during the winter. Even though it was autumn (when pika are most active storing food for the winter), this one took a few moments to snack on a leaf before resuming its agricultural activities.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 10.2025
Date Uploaded: 12.2025
Photo Location: The closest town is Gardiner, MT, Wyoming, United States of America
Camera: NIKON Z 9
Copyright: © Edwin Bowe