Temperatures had dropped during the night, and the morning was cool, down into the upper forties. We were up early enough for me to whip up a good breakfast, and perk up a pot of coffee. I like to cook when I camp and take the opportunity whenever possible. We didn't have far to go in the morning to meet up with Kentucky Herp Society members, as our rendezvous spot was the visitor's center in the state forest. Before too long we had a group together. It was great to finally meet Phil Peak - Will Bird and Clay Schmutke I had met already, albeit briefly. Brian and Steve, our comrades from the previous day, were there, along with Ben Helm, Wes Lego, and Barry Ransom.

We had an hour or so to kill before Jeff arrived from the airport, and since the temps were not conducive for scaly things, Phil suggested we look for some slimy things instead. We piled into several vehicles and drove to a wooded area, where we parked and began walking along a very shallow and rocky creek, lifting stones and logs in search of amphibians. With a large group it usually doesn't take too long to turn up something, and a couple Fowler's toads and some Southern Twolined Salamanders were produced in short order. Someone also located a clutch of salamander larvae, stuck to the underside of a flat creek rock. These were Twolined larvae, still wiggling in their egg sacs but just about ready to drop into the creek.

Despite the size of our group we could locate nothing further, and people started drifting back to where the vehicles were parked. I walked back along the edge of the road, which had a small rivulet of water running alongside. As I went I poked around under likely-looking stones and leaf litter, in the hopes of finding perhaps a Spring Salamander. I spotted a small section of log just inches away from the asphalt of the road's edge, and flipped to reveal a flash of wiggly orange - salamander! I quickly slapped hands on the creature, and walked the remaining short distance to where everyone was gathered.

This was a Midland Mud Salamander, Pseudotriton montanus diastictus, a new species for me and for a few others. I found it nearly indescribably beautiful, and was glad I could capture it with my camera. We took a number of pictures, although it was not the most cooperative creature,  refusing to remain still for more than a second or two. It was interesting to find this creature living just a few short inches away from a fairly busy two-lane road.

I put the Muddie back under its log, and we headed back to the visitor center to pick up Jeff, who was due to arrive via   taxi from the airport.