On June 23 I set out on a week-long quest to find and photograph some of the unique and interesting salamanders of the southern Appalachians. This region is home to the world's greatest diversity of salamander species, from the inch-and-a-half long Pygmy Salamander to the two-and-a-half foot Hellbender. I visited three basic areas on the trip: the Nantahala National Forest in southwestern NC, the Linville Gorge area in western NC, and the Mt. Rogers area of southwestern VA. I found 20 species in all, 11 of which I had never seen before. I also photographed bugs, mushrooms, scenery, and other things along the way.