The Fearless Salamander Hunters

Before we went to the Smoky Mountains, the boys did some "research" (namely, having their 'rents read books to them about the national park). They were stoked: the Smokies are supposedly the "salamander capital of the world".

All I heard from Max for two weeks leading up to the trip was that salamanders were shy. Heck yeah, they're shy. Most are tiny-wee critters who have to be near moisture at all times. To top that off, they're nocturnal. I'm not (not anymore...back in college, maybe).
We did