Pump Station Access, Eno River State Park (Durham, NC)

In the second week of January, I hiked along the familiar Pump Station Trail -- a moderate 1.5 mile walk through mixed loblolly-deciduous forest. This trail is best known for its excellent wild flower display in spring; however, in January it offered up the serenity of babbling streams and salamander surprises. Redbacked salamanders (Plethodon cinereus) can be found under fallen pine logs even this time of year, and larvae of larger species swim in a pond sitting just off the trail.