Photo and Commentary ©2025 by Chuck Davis
Monday, October 6, 2025
This week’s photo parable introduces us to the American Pika. The Pika is often mistaken to be a rodent, but although similar in size and shape to other rodents, the Pika is most closely related to rabbits and hares. The Pika makes its home among the scree and talus slopes of the Cascades and other western mountain ranges. You may hear its high-pitched alarm calls as you hike across a rocky mountain slope.
The Pika in today’s photo joined our group in the Necklace Valley, along the shores of Lake Ilswoot as we enjoyed the cool of evening. Generally shy, this Pika emerged from the rocks posing nearly motionless for several minutes.
The chosen habitat of the Pika reminds me of the protective nature of rocks that we find throughout the Bible. Moses describes one such scene: “And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by (Exodus 33:22 KJV). King David shares: “Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress” (Psalm 71:3 KJV).
The Pika trusted us that evening, but only because of the cleft in the rock. Today, place your trust in God because He is our Rock and our Fortress.