Nature and Wildlife

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Save the North Shore of the Gulf September 1–6

Friday, August 27th, 2010

Six days of entertainment by popular local musicians means three opportunities to join together as a community to benefit ecological programs along our coastal area.

Support Mobile Baykeeper efforts and hear popular local entertainers at SanRoc Cay September 1–3, 2010.

Even volunteer organizations cost money to operate, so Sweetwater Brewing Company, SanRoc Cay Marina & Shops, North Shore Grill and Beach CITE Studios have joined together to raise funds for care of our precious resources.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010 brings LeAnn Creswell & Rick Whaley to the courtyard of SanRoc Cay (Orange Beach, Alabama) from 6:30 to 10:00 p.m.

Thursday evening features The Most Wanted Band and Friends from 6:00 until 9:00, then the action moves inside to the Listening Room at Beach CITE Studios for the Wes Loper Band from 9:00 until midnight

John Joiner begins the Friday evening schedule at 6:00, along with North Shore Grill’s smoked Boston butt take-out sale. At 9:00, move into North Shore Grill to kick it up with Jon Cook & Ryan Baltrop Swamp Music Throwdown.

On Saturday, an all-day tailgate-style part in the Courtyard will be followed by JJ Mack playing 6:30–9:30. At 9:30, The Soul Wig ParTay Band will begin playing in North Shore Grill.

Sunday’s all-day music schedule starts with a gospel brunch with Jody Payne and Cowboy Johnson 11–2, followed by the Knee Deep Band 3–6 and ending with Coconut Radio 6–9.

Lisa Christian kicks off the Monday festivities in the North Shore Grill at 1:00. At 3:00, Paul Killough and Alan Grossman take over the stage, followed by Cowboy Johnson, Jody Payne and Jon Cook at 6:00 until 9:00.

Proceeds from the six-day event will help to sustain the current programs of the Mobile Baykeeper organization, increase awareness and encourage involvement. Locally, more than 4,000 people participate in their activities. One of the many ways for you to be involved is to come enjoy some of the area’s best entertainment and give generously to support the efforts to keep our waters clean and safe.

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.

No Guessing for Visiting Nature Lovers

Friday, July 16th, 2010

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.

Wednesdays in July at Bellingrath

Wednesday, July 14th, 2010

Wednesdays in July don’t have to be the dull “hump day” of the week. Not when you visit Bellingrath Gardens and Home.

Visit Bellingrath Gardens & Home on Wednesdays in July for special activities.

On July 21, from 10:00 a.m. until noon, Bellingrath is taking the opportunity to celebrate Ice Cream Month. Thanks to some assistance from Blue Bell Ice Cream, the whole family can enjoy games, activities and, of course, ice cream.

The July 28 offering will supply food for the curious brain as Tom McGehee gives a special presentation regarding the interior and exterior architectural features of the famed 1935 English Renaissance home. The program is scheduled for 10:30–11:30, allowing plenty of time afterward to enjoy lunch and meander through the beautiful gardens during the afternoon

Bellingrath Gardens and Home is located in Theodore, just south of Mobile. Wear your walking shoes, and be sure to take your camera to capture the beautiful summer roses!

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.

Late April or Early May?

Monday, April 12th, 2010

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.

Focus on the Coast Photo Contest Winners

Friday, December 4th, 2009

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, MS!

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, Murray, Kentucky.

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


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

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


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

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.

Rescued Dolphin on the Mend

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009
A young dolphin rescued in Gulf Shores, AL is healing under the care of experts in Gulfport, Mississippi.

A young dolphin rescued in Gulf Shores, Alabama is healing under the care of experts in Gulfport, Mississippi.

While enjoying a beach walk the day following a storm, it is common to find an unusual shell, large clumps of drying seaweed, or sometimes a completely cleaned shoreline.

But on November 10, beach walkers on the island of Gulf Shores, Alabama happened upon something much bigger – and it was fortunate that they did.

It is assumed that the strong winds and waves from Tropical Storm Ida were responsible for separating a young bottlenose dolphin from his family. Found 150 yards from the shore, the 2-year-old, six-foot-four-inch, 190-lb. dolphin was in serious condition after being out of the water at least 4 hours. The walkers contacted the Marine Mammal Stranding Network for help. The MMSN then called for a dolphin ambulance from the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies in Gulfport, Mississippi.

A team of 20 at the institute has assisted with nursing the dolphin over the past three weeks. Although not completely out of the woods, he has shown marked improvement. After two weeks of being fed through a tube, he now will take fish from the staff and even play with his toys.

Returning him to his natural habitat is the goal. But finding his family may not be possible, and he may be too young to survive on his own. Training and assessments are ongoing, and the final decision on release will be made by the National Marine Fisheries Service.

To learn more about dolphins, visit the websites of Dolphinkind, Animal Planet and National Geographic.

For your next Gulf Shores-area beach vacation, consider the great variety of 1800+ accommodations and the STAR Treatment you’ll experience with Meyer Real Estate.

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