Discover Alabama Beaches » Nature and Wildlife

2 Presentations Hosted by Orange Beach Library

Meyer Real Estate — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:04:14 +0000

If you enjoy nature-related discussions and you are in the coastal Alabama area this week, you are in the right place at the right time.

Learn about the Backcountry Trail fire damage and recovery, plus historical and future significance of longleaf pine forests.

This Wednesday, January 25, Philip West will be presenting information on the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail in Orange Beach, and how the fire of 2011 has affected it. As the Coastal Resources Manager for the City of Orange Beach, Philip will offer an overview of the timber and trail damage as well as the recovery efforts. Admission to this 6:00 p.m. event held at the Senior Activity Center (east of Hwy. 161, on Canal Rd., next to the library) is free and open to the public; you may wish to sign up at the Orange Beach Public Library or via their website.

Author Roger Reid, writer/director/producer of the Emmy award-winning Discovering Alabama television series, and scientist Mark Hainds, research director with the Longleaf Alliance, have collaborated on a presentation regarding longleaf pine forests in Alabama. In this free seminar geared to all ages, they will include historical background and future significance of these ecosystems. Their appearance is scheduled for Friday, January 27, from 4 until 5:30 in the Orange Beach Public Library Meeting Room. You may register at the library or their website.

Enjoy the Backcountry Trail and locate longleaf pine during your next stay with us. You and your significant other can hike and/or bike many areas while using a 1-bedroom Orange Beach condo as your home base. Or bring the entire extended family to the beach for a nature-centered reunion—there’s plenty of room in a 5-bedroom Orange Beach property.

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.

3 Great Opportunities at the Zoo

Meyer Real Estate — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 20:54:00 +0000

The holiday season is filled with opportunities for giving and for fun for all ages and interests. But the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo in Gulf Shores has it all covered in one place.

Talk with Santa and play with the animals at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo's Christmas Party Saturday, December 17, 2011.

Saturday, December 17, is their annual Christmas Party with Santa. Between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., admission for children 10 and under is free with a paying adult. Bring your camera, as Santa is eager to pose for pictures and chat with your young one. Refreshments will be served, and some of your favorite animals will be making appearances.

Most of us have a soft spot for animals, so why not bring a gift or two for your favorite creatures? Your generosity will help feed, clean, house or offer entertainment to some of the residents of “The Little Zoo That Could.” If you’re not sure what gifts to bring, choose from the many items on the wish list. Another idea is to bring gift cards from Lowe’s or Home Depot, or simply make a donation.

If you are still searching for gifts for the humans on your list, the gift shop is filled with items from clothing and accessories to toys to books and more. Perhaps an Individual, Friendship (2 people), Family, Grandparents or Group (up to 6 people) membership would bring the most enjoyment, as it means your recipient gets unlimited, free admission for a year. Memberships begin at just $40 and range up to $120.

Where else can you get your fill of Santa and animal fun for the kids, feel great about giving much-needed assistance to a wonderful organization, and complete your gift shopping all in one place in one day? For many reasons, the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is the place to be at the holidays or any time of year.

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.

Weeks Bay Ornament 2011

Meyer Real Estate — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 19:10:10 +0000

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).

Sleigh Rides in Orange Beach December 9

Meyer Real Estate — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 17:41:38 +0000

Creating a sleigh ride without snow can be a bit of a challenge. But with a little imagination from both organizers and riders in Orange Beach, trucks and trailers become magical sleighs, taking you through brightly decorated paths along the Backcountry Trail to view live Nativity scenes, hear carolers and small instrumental groups, and of course, meet Santa.

Ride the Backcountry Trail, transformed into a holiday wonderland, Friday, December 9, 2011, in Orange Beach, Alabama.

Hot chocolate and cookies will be supplied for the tour. Musical entertainment at City Hall, the departure point, will help pass the time while waiting to join the next available ride. Raggedy Ann and Andy, as well as other children’s characters, will be sharing the merriment.

Sleigh rides are scheduled to depart every 5 minutes, beginning at 6:00 this Friday, December 9, and the ride lasts approximately one hour. The event ends at 9:00, so you’ll have plenty of time before and after the ride to enjoy the decorated booths of area businesses, including restaurants, retail shops, salons, churches and more. (You can even pick up some coupons to make your holiday shopping a little easier on the budget.)

Grab your coats, hats and mittens and enjoy the warmth of a free, old-fashioned community holiday event in Orange Beach this weekend. For more information, please call 251-981-1063.

Create more bonding time and a break from the holiday rush by surprising your family with a weekend beach getaway. Take a look at the 3-bedroom condos available in Orange Beach, then apply promo code 1112W1 to get a free night when you pay for 2. Clothing, games and electronics make wonderful holiday gifts, but experiences and memories as a family are priceless.

Sunday Morning Service at the Beach

Meyer Real Estate — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 17:57:28 +0000

While on vacation, many folks look for a local church to attend Sunday services. There are many places to worship in the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area, spanning many denominations and even multiple location options for most.

Attend a Sunday worship service on the beach in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

No matter which type of church you typically attend, you may wish to enjoy an early-morning service right on the beach. The Galilean Beach Service begins at 7:30 a.m. each Sunday through Labor Day Weekend. Although offered by the folks at Foley United Methodist Church, people of all faiths are welcome to attend this service that typically lasts less than an hour.

Bring your lawn chairs or beach blankets and dress casually. The location is just east of the beach pavilion in the Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores. For more information, call the church at 251-943-4393.

Mudbug Meals and Cricket Spitting Contests

Meyer Real Estate — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 17:19:55 +0000

While Mobile may not be exactly in our backyard, it’s still in our neighborhood. And because Mobile is home to something as terrific as the Gulf Coast Exploreum, we encourage you to take a few hours during your island stay to explore The Port City and sneak in some education wrapped in a package of experiential fun.

View, learn about and even eat some of Nature's little critters at the Crawfish in the Courtyard benefit for the Gulf Coast Exploreum.

The ideal opportunity exists with the Crawfish in the Courtyard event this Thursday, March 31, 2011, starting at 6:00 p.m. The $20 advance tickets ($25 at the door) benefit the Exploreum’s Discover Science program that provides engaging educational experiences to underserved children.

You will enjoy all-you-can-eat crawfish, jambalaya, two adult beverages (yes, you must be 21 or older to attend), entry into the exhibit hall as well as the fascinating Giant Insects exhibit, an IMAX film, and live music provided by two popular local acts.

When you are not walking through the exhibits or eating your meal, bid on the many wonderful items in the silent auction. And join in with cheering and laughter during the Cricket Spitting contest. (That alone should make this a don’t-miss evening!)

For details, call 877-625-4FUN. And for an evening of fun, make plans now to make your appearance at 65 Government Street in Mobile for Crawfish in the Courtyard.