When hiking in the alpine zone, it is a pleasure to hear a sharp chirp – the call of an American pika (Ochotona princeps). These lovely animals inhabit the talus slopes and rock outcrops at the very highest elevations. Surprisingly they do not hibernate but rather stay active through the winter by relying on stored…

Summer in the Rockies is a colorful season, especially thanks to the diversity of paintbrushes (Castilleja spp.) This genus contains hundreds of species that are well known for their colorful blooms. Their bright colors hide a dark secret – like many species in the family Orobanchaceae, paintbrushes are parasites – they steal resources from the…