We recently went on a field trip to Francis Marion National Park in SC.  For those of you not on the trip, our teacher and TA set out about 10 traps in a beautiful area covered in about 2 feet of water a day before our trip.  On our outing we wiggled into waders and went exploring.  The first seven or so traps we checked were null of life except some rather large water beetles and crayfish, though rather cool, were not what we were hoping to find.  The class split up and went searching. The only herps found were about half a dozen southern cricket frogs (Acris gryllus).  As we were about to be quizzed on the calls of these frogs, we were particularly alert to the cricket frog's tiny chirp throughout the area.

After much searching and almost giving up on the area, we checked the last three traps.  Low and behold, in one of the last traps we found a surprise.  Or rather two surprises: a pig frog (Lithobates grylio) and a lesser siren (Siren intermedia).  

I was personally most excited by the salamander.  As much time as I spent stomping around woods, streams, ponds, what have you, as a child, I never managed to find any salamanders. Hooray for me for finally accomplishing a childhood dream.

On top of our amazing herp findings, the scenery was beautiful and would have sufficed had we not found anything (but I am very glad we did).

Sara Smith

College of Charleston