The environmentalist. The volunteer. The nature lover. The person who has everything. The proud local. The appreciative visitor. The ecotourist. The science teacher or student.

Your gift to a friend or family member also supports Weeks Bay Foundation programs.

Many of us fit into at least one of those categories. And we know of one particular gift item that will satisfy any or all of these folks.

When you give someone a 2011 Weeks Bay ornament that commemorates the 25^th anniversary of the designation of the Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, you give much more than a simple gift to a friend or family member. You also support the natural environments of our area and beyond.

Current programs of the Weeks Bay Foundation include submerged equipment, weather stations and sampling projects to monitor water quality. And their ongoing objective is to purchase land in the Weeks Bay watershed that may be added to the National Wildlife Reserve, or be set aside with a conservation easement such as to preserve a wildlife habitat, or create a buffer to conservation lands.

You have four options for securing this decorative item that depicts a fisherman in a kayak. The best value is a combination ornament and one-year membership in the Weeks Bay Foundation for just $50. Send an ornament with a holiday card that includes your personal greeting for just $20, shipping included. Ornaments alone are $15 online, or you may purchase them in person for $12 at Fairhope Pharmacy’s Christmas ’Round the Corner or the Weeks Bay Reserve at 11401 U.S. Hwy. 98 in Fairhope (251-990-5004).

Stay informed of Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area activities, vacation rental specials and more by subscribing to this Discover Alabama Beaches blog and Meyer Muse, and by following Meyer Vacation Rentals on Facebook and Twitter.

It’s a picture-perfect moment. That osprey (or pitcher plant or butterfly) could actually be posing just for you, and you can’t resist. Up comes the camera . . . click.

Hurry to register for the Nature Photography Workshop held on Friday and Saturday, September 24 & 25, 2010.

But when you look at what should be your prize-winning photograph, it appears washed out, or the nearby water created a terrible glare. Aargh!

Lucky for you, that disappointing scenario does not have to be repeated. Local nature photography experts Michelle Thomas and Luanne Burnett are excited about sharing their techniques for capturing the best images in forest and water settings during the upcoming Nature Photography Workshop.

The small class size (maximum 20) assures plenty of time for group and personal instruction. Any digital camera may be used—even your basic point-and-click equipment can produce better quality than you thought possible when you know how to adjust for the scenery.

You don’t need to know anything about photography, so don’t let a lack of experience keep you away. All that’s required (beyond a camera, of course) is a desire to explore the possibilities. Michelle and Luanne can also assist if your camera is so new that you’re not fully acquainted with how it operates.

Intermediate photographers will quickly realize that there are still plenty of lessons to be learned by sharing the time with professionals and other like-minded amateurs.

The weekend begins with the sunset photography class at 4:30 on Friday, September 24. Saturday brings morning light instruction, then guidance for afternoon shadows. Each class is followed by plenty of time to apply the techniques and then share and discuss your successes. You’ll find that the beautiful location at The Plantation at D&S Farms Forest Retreat in rural Robertsdale offers infinite possibilities for exceptional photographs.

Your meals (light supper Friday, Saturday breakfast and lunch) are included in the fee. Even better news is that when you go to the registration page you will find a price tag of only $125, broken into a deposit and then a final payment. What a great deal! This is a wonderful opportunity to learn from experienced professionals, so hurry to sign up before the class is filled. With this type of personalized instruction, you could soon be a sought-after nature photographer!

Stay informed of local activities, vacation rental specials and more by subscribing to this Discover Alabama Beaches blog and Meyer Muse, and by following Meyer Real Estate on Twitter, Facebook and MySpace.

Today’s blog is a little different, as I’m going to focus on a website. Not that visiting the actual location isn’t HIGHLY recommended! But if you’re not physically at Weeks Bay Reserve to ask your question or read about something that has piqued your curiosity, you may appreciate knowing of a resource to help you identify a local creature you are observing.

Weeks Bay Foundation helps visitors to identify and appreciate the local nature and wildlife in Southern Alabama.

Once you reach the Weeks Bay Foundation website, it will be easy to lose yourself in the many links describing their history, their wonderful programs and more. But at some point, you’ll want to steer yourself to the Photo Album link on the left side.

The Weeks Bay Photo Album is divided into well-defined categories, including 18 albums of various types of feathered friends, two albums of insects, five albums of water-related neighbors, and one that includes plants and creatures you will find on their Wintermeyer Boardwalk. The photos are captioned with common names and species, plus varied information on their size, habitats, coloring and more. As you’ll see, these pages are much more than just a simple collection of pictures. What a wealth of information!

I’ll admit that I’m pretty ignorant about what creatures or plants are what around here (don’t tell anyone!). But since stumbling upon this resource, I’m starting to be able to name some of what I see—and soon you will be able to do the same.

To find out more, visit the Weeks Bay Foundation website and start poking around. But don’t pass up your earliest opportunity to visit the Weeks Bay Reserve in person. From Gulf Shores, take Hwy. 59 north, then Hwy. 98 west; you’ll find the Reserve near Hwy. 181, just beyond the bridge over Fish River.

Stay informed of local activities, vacation rental specials and more by subscribing to this Discover Alabama Beaches blog and Meyer Muse, and by following Meyer Real Estate on Twitter, Facebook and MySpace.

You already know that a beach vacation is what you want, and you need that getaway sooner rather than later. Things are hectic at home or at work—or maybe both—and it’s been a long, cold winter. You need a little “Ahhh…” factor infused into your life.

The beach offers an escape from the everyday life, even if only for a few days.

What if we offered you a chance to get a free night in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach or Fort Morgan, Alabama, or Perdido Key, Florida? Meyer Real Estate always gives you the seventh night free. (Actually, you can get your sixth and seventh nights free if you stay by May 26 – click here to get the scoop.)

Are time constraints keeping you from enjoying an entire week at the beach?

No problem! Stay just three nights or four. If you choose a condo, your third night is free. Opt for a house and you’ll get your fourth night free.

Your schedule will only allow two or three nights? Just use your free night as an extended check-out. Sleep in on that last morning, spend the afternoon at the beach, and maybe hang around for dinner before heading home again.

Not once, but TWICE in the next four weeks you’ll find a commemorative day paired with a special offer of third or fourth night free:

* Celebrate Mother Earth when you opt for the Earth Day special and stay between April 20 and 26, 2010. Enjoy nature-related activities such as hiking, biking or birding.

* Celebrate family ties when you opt for the Mother’s Day special and stay between May 5 and 11, 2010. Let Mom choose to shop, dine out or admire items at an arts & crafts fair.

Let Meyer Real Estate’s specials and extra-large variety of vacation properties make it easier to reward yourself with a much-needed beach escape!

Stay informed of local activities, vacation rental specials and more by subscribing to this Discover Alabama Beaches blog and Meyer Muse, and by following Meyer Real Estate on Twitter, Facebook and MySpace.

CONGRATULATIONS to each of our twenty finalists in the

Meyer Real Estate 2009 Focus on the Coast beach photo contest!

OUR WINNING PHOTO! Submitted by Melanie Plum of Amory, Mississippi.

Our winning photo, decided by public vote, was submitted by Melanie Plum of Amory, Mississippi, who has been awarded a 3-night stay in a 2-bedroom gulf-front condo for spring 2010. The photo was taken by Blake McCollum, who is a family friend of Melanie’s and an art student at Mississippi State.

Upon being told the good news, an excited Melanie explained that the family was in the midst of a photo shoot, but this winning photo was a candid shot of the girls simply enjoying the warm July beach and their flowing, colorful costumes.

Congratulations to Melanie and everyone involved in this award-winning photograph!

We are also very pleased to name as Honorable Mentions our 1st, 2nd and 3rd places as voted by the public:

HONORABLE MENTION: 1st runner up. Submitted by Molly Canter of Murray, Kentucky.

HONORABLE MENTION: 2nd runner up. Submitted by Shellie Benson of Speer, Illinois.

HONORABLE MENTION: 3rd runner up. Submitted by Cheryl & Rusty May of Madison, Mississippi.

You can see all the Top 20 photos on our Facebook page.

Subscribe to this blog to stay informed of future contests, terrific specials and Hot Deals, area activities and opportunities, and much more.

The ideal gift can be difficult to find, but we have a solution!

It’s time to choose a gift for someone special. But your sibling/parent/best friend/cousin has all the material goods he or she needs. Another knickknack or small kitchen appliance may end up in a closet or cupboard, rarely used in spite of your good intentions.

A gift of experiences and memories, though, will be forever cherished. The honored recipient will immediately understand the special thought that went into choosing it, and you’ll be reminded often of how much it was appreciated.

That is why a gift certificate for accommodations from Meyer Vacation Rentals is the perfect fit. It allows you to present your loved one with something specific, yet offers them a great deal of flexibility. They can choose their preferred dates to stay in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach or Fort Morgan, Alabama, or Perdido Key, Florida. And with nearly 1300 condos and 300 houses located along the Gulf of Mexico, inland waters or golf courses—including virtual tours and photos of all properties—they will enjoy the online shopping experience almost as much as the actual getaway.

Make it a gift from just you, or arrange for your family or a group of friends to chip in together. Your gift certificate can be for any dollar amount you choose, and your recipient can get even greater value when they use it with one of our many specials or Hot Deals. With everything from a romantic 1-bedroom property in Gulf Shores to a 36-person house in Perdido Key perfect for family reunions and weddings, your gift offers a wealth of options.

Sounds perfect, doesn’t it? Meyer Vacation Rentals Gift Certificates are available year-round by calling 877-877-5066. Our terrific vacation representatives will be happy to help you and your recipient at any hour of the day or night, whenever it’s most convenient for you.

Historical exploration, water adventures, golf outings, outlet shopping, relaxation . . . No matter how their time is spent, you will feel wonderful knowing you gave someone a lasting gift that will always be treasured.

Stay informed of Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area activities, vacation rental specials and more by subscribing to this Discover Alabama Beaches blog and Meyer Muse, and by following Meyer Vacation Rentals on Facebook and Twitter.