NIMBioS Spring Hikes: Phacelias and Salamanders in the Mud

NIMBioS at Porter's Creek, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

NIMBioS at Porter’s Creek, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

NIMBioS Fearless Leaders Chris Welsh and Lou Gross test the waters. It’s cold!

NIMBioS not only likes to study nature, we also like to experience it. NIMBioS colleagues, friends and their families enjoyed springtime hikes to Porters Creek and White Oak Sinks in March. The full display of wildflowers had not yet begun, but some white-fringed phacelia were starting to bloom on the Porter’s Creek hike. The hike to White Oak Sinks via Schoolhouse Gap trail was a muddy slog but good for spotting salamanders, thanks to the expert eye of NIMBioS postdoctoral fellow Julia Earl. Also spotted was a bat flying out of the caves at the Sinks. If you missed these, join us next time on the trail. Full set of photos on the NIMBioS Flickr page.

Julia teaches Hannah how to find salamanders.

 

 

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