Stepping Back in Time, Gulf Shores Alabama to Florida

Copyright 2012, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

I know, I should have blogged this a while back, sorry, been doing other stuff, so, this will be short and sweet.  On April 19, 2012, we left Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores Alabama where we had been since November 17, 2011.  A long time to sit, but, it was wonderful.

We took 2 days to drive to Jacksonville Florida, and I did not take a lot of photos, but, here are a few:

Below, crossing a nice hunk of water on a pretty bridge in Florida:

Below, what that looks like on the GPS, one of my silly moments, shhh, don't tell, Man was exceeding the speed limit by 4 MPH.  

And, at a rest stop near Pensacola, one of my favorite things, airplanes and the Blue Angels:

We would spend a week in Jacksonville, visiting with MOC friends Steve and Vicki, and doing a bit of sightseeing.



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Gulf State Park, Gulf Shores Alabama, Another New Critter, WAYYY Up There

Copyright 2012, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

Not long after my post, Gulf State Park, Gulf Shores Alabama, A New Critter Sign, I was contacted by Grant Brown, Director of Recreation and Cultural Affairs for the city of Gulf Shores, who just so happens to be a friend of the artist, Gene Hoagland.  Gene stopped by Tana the other day, tried to get Man to trade the new ride (Big Butt's Big Brother, real name STILL undetermined) for $1.00 and Gene's truck.  Man, did not jump at that deal, hmmmm, wonder why?

At any rate Gene told me "something big" would be added to the park Saturday, February 25th and that we would need a telephoto lens to get a photo of it because we could not walk to it.  Gene said, it will be talked about around the park.  When I indicated I would  LOVE to get a photo, he asked, do you have a telephoto lens??   No, but, I have Sony and a 20 zoom lens.

Gene seems like a fun guy and he really knows how to tease and spark interest.  I promptly dropped an email to our friends Donna and John and we made plans to go out for lunch on Saturday and then go hunting for Gene's surprise.

After lunch we decided to walk one of the trails here in the park.  With the hints from some others enjoying the trails, it was suggested we go have a look way up in some trees by a playground in the park.  It was a rather long walk, but, lookie here, Man, a pine tree and wayyyyyyyy up there, what is that dark blob??

Zoom it Sony:

Try a zoom from another angle:

Gotcha!

When Gene dropped by I was so surprised that I neglected to ask him what he calls his art and how he does it.  I'll be stopping by Gene to ask you a few more questions.

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What is a Tar Ball?

Copyright 2012, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

Man and I have been taking some of the nature walks here at Gulf State Park, the naturalists on staff take us on hikes, in the park, and at the beach and now and then out to the fishing pier.  The walks are relaxed and of course, informative.

This last week we took a walk on the shore.  They had us picking shells and the little girls that were along (5 little ones, one in a papoose, 4 on foot, yes one family) were finding all kinds of things, showing off their finds to all who would look. I mean, who can resist a little one, the awe, the innocence, the fact that they are closer to the ground and see things in a different way.

We learned a few new things, those shells with the small holes in one end, that could be hung from a string and worn as a necklace, the holes are drilled by another sea creature who then sucks the food out of the shell, usually a oyster.  Who knew??  Not I.  Fascinating.

Now, we all know that the BP oil spill hit particularly hard right here in Gulf Shores.  We were a bit worried, how would the beach really look??  Not bad, considering.

BP still has clean up crews riding up and down the beach daily.  They cover the tracks of their vehicles by "raking" the beach, so as to not leave deep tire tracks.  They are looking for washed up tar.  Small pieces don't get picked up for the most part, unless, they are in a deposit of many small pieces.

Above, several tar balls with sea shells and other shore debris.

The tar balls will not burn, all the volatile parts of oil have evaporated, and what is left is the tar ball.  As you can see they can be covered in small shells and sand, they pick up the shells and sand as they are rolled around in the waters of the Gulf.  They are not hard, as in rock hard, they will break with just a bit of effort.  Inside, they are rather sticky.

Above, tar ball and a small shell that has tar along the edge.  The line in the tar ball, left side, is where it has been broken apart.  We just stuck it back together.

If the BP crews find a larger deposit of tar balls they will scoop up the deposit with small nets.  Most of the tar balls that we have seen have been close to the water's edge, where they have been washed up by the surf. After a bad storm we have seen more.  

You don't want to walk on one, if possible, because they are quite pliable, they will squish into the soles of your shoes.

All this said, you can walk for hours on the beach and the tar balls are not a huge issue, so come on down.  The shores are constantly being cleaned up and are still a joy to walk.  Personally I am more concerned about the Portuguese Man of War, than I am about stepping on a tar ball or two.




* The naturalists told us that there have ALWAYS been tar balls washing up on the shores, well before the BP disaster.
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Gulf State Park, Gulf Shores Alabama, Current Events

Copyright 2012, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

I am fully aware that many of my readers, friends and family are really more interested in what Man and I are currently up to, what trouble we might be getting into, rather than reading about THE Trip that has been over for a good 6 months.  I am happy to report, that for the most part, we are behaving.  We have been in Gulf State Park, Gulf Shores, Alabama for 2 months and have not done much.  Well, we have done a LOT of resting, visiting with RVing friends, making new RVing friends, quietly celebrating the holidays, and taken walks.

  

The weather, when compared to what it was 2 years ago has been fabulous.  Two years ago, December brought something like 15 inches of rain and our campsite was flooded and never dried out the entire time we were there (left in April).  This last December (2011) there was some rain, maybe 3 or 4 inches, yes, I am too lazy to even look that fact up, and our campsite has for the most part been dry, dry and did I say it has been DRY!  We are enjoying the dry, oh, are we enjoying the dry! The temps have also been very favorable, many days the temps are about 10 to 15 above average.  Two years ago there was snow about 40 miles north of here.  There were frozen water fountains, frozen water lines and pipes that when thawed would spout water out the backs of homes and under driveways.  This year we have had a bit of frost on the grass and such.  (Of course, now, we all know that I have doomed us by talking about this, watch out.  GULP!!)

Man loves old large live oaks, he is communing with this one.  He loved that he could "wiggle" the tree a bit with that low hanging branch.

I have gone days without taking a photo (really!) and have given myself permission to slow down on the blogging, input, etc.  I have taken some time to devote to learning curve with new programs and software, and still need to do quite a bit more of that.

I have captured a few good creature photos though, like this guy taking his holiday bath.  To see the rest of the bath, visit Reflection's Flora and Fauna.

We took a few walks on the fishing pier and met Sam, a tame pelican.  You can see the rest of his photos here, I had a great time taking these, Sam can be very entertaining!

One day taking a walk I found this green-backed heron just feet from our campsite. I have looked for this beauty every time I walk by that canal, and have not seen it again.  By the way, the second photo over at Flora and Fauna is even better!

And, possibly the most fun photo(s) of the last several months, the armadillo, of course there are more photos and the full size version of this one over at Flora and Fauna, if you have not seen these, please go have a look, his pose is great.

We enjoy walking at the beach, even on days when it is windy.  I am always looking for photo ops, so, I tried capturing some of the buildings as viewed through the ocean mist kicked up from the wind and waves.  And, yes, that is a crane on top of that building.

I am still working on a caption for this photo of a lone shore bird strolling past these beach chairs whose occupants are down in the water splashing away.

Man and I have both been quite content to just enjoy the moments, a lot of very quiet moments.  If nearby, you may hear a number of deep, soul cleaning, SIGHHHHHHHHHS.  See, Man is QUITE content, except, maybe you better make that deep, soul cleaning, ZZZZZs.

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2009-10 Winter Tana Tour, Shelby Lake & Gulf State Park Beach

Just a few days before March ended Man and I were out soaking up sunshine and visiting the beach.  Along the way, we stopped for a few minutes at Shelby Lake, which has a day use picnic area, fresh water fishing and the Nature Center for Gulf State Park.  It is of great interest to see this fresh water lake so close to the Gulf of Mexico, basically you cross the beach road (182) and the sand dunes and you are wading in the salt water of the Gulf.  Here is a photo of the lake, very dark blue in color.

Here is a photo of the water washing up to the beach,

look at that color, NO, I did not color enhance this photo at all.    

We left the Shelby Lake area and went over the beach,

where I found, of course, some shells to photograph.

We found this sand castle, complete with shell windows and gate.

Even a feather can become a work of art

thanks to Mother Nature, wind and sand.

And, of course, there has to be the fence photo, with shadows. 

Man climbed up and straddled the fence to get this double shadow/reflection.

As it turned out, we only made one more short visit to the beautiful beaches of Gulf Shores Alabama.

Copyright 2010, CABS for Reflections From the Fence.

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2009-10 Winter Tana Tour, Gulf State Park, The Walk With Friends

After our lunch at Tacky Jack's, John, Donna, Man and I went back to Gulf State Park and went for a walk.  The area we were walking recently had a controlled burn.   We understand that a controlled burn will allow some plants to flourish, some actually need the fire to pop out of their seeds.  A controlled burn also gets rid of some plants that for a variety of reasons are considered less than desirable.  You would think it is ugly right after a burn, and for the most part, that is true, but, if  you look just a little harder, there is some beauty that comes from the fire.

Hurricane Ivan did a lot of damage to homes and businesses, but, with 6 foot of salt water IN the state park, there was also a huge loss of trees and plants.  This is pine that basically drown in the sea water that flooded the park.

The park is replanting, here is a new tree, planted just weeks ago.

Yea, I know, really small, but, it won't be long and it will be tall and beautiful

Below, beauty in the smallest.

Below, this area was also flooded by Hurricane Ivan.  The pine trees are about 6 to 10 foot tall, they all are new growth since the storm.  I think if I were camping at Gulf State Park I might have to bring my chair and have a nice long sit here.

* My apologies for the skipping order of the blog posts this week.  The posts are skipping around, I sorta relate!  Skipping from state to state, on our run north.

Copyright 2010, CABS for Reflections From the Fence.
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2009-10 Winter Tana Tour, Gulf State Park at the Beach

Few days ago, Man and I were walking the Gulf State Park beach from CR 2 to the Fishing Pier.      We paid $2.00 each to go out on the pier (not fishing, just visiting).  I was slightly disappointed that out at the very end, they have painted a red line that cannot be crossed unless you have a fishing pole.  There were dolphins out there, and I could not get a photo cause I am a rule follower and would not cross the line. 

It is about a 1 mile walk each way, and, of course, I was carrying the ole Cannon with me, a few photos:

Above, pelican, photo shot from the pier.

(In a legal standing area.)

Found along our walk.

Love how Mother Nature arranges her gifts.

Above, looking from the waters edge, sand dune and palms beyond.

The next two photos were taken right at the boardwalk you take from the CR2 parking area to the beach.  Knowing that erosion is a huge problem along all  beaches, we have to figure this is an attempt to force a new sand dune, and catch some of the sand before it blows over the top of the current dunes and onto 182 (commonly called the Beach Road).  I think this is very cleaver and what a great way to recycle.

Above, so many trees, a holiday grave yard, of sorts - -

However, you can see that the burials will give stability to the

fragile dunes, they are already catching the fine sand.

Copyright 2010, CABS for Reflections From the Fence.
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Flipside, an Unspoken Challenge, RFTF's Response

Linda over at Flipside did it again.  She posted this great photo of a nest in a tree, her's is a squirrel nest.  Linda posts, I visit, I feel the challenge, hmmmmmm, I have something so similar - - -

My offering is that of what I believe is an Osprey nest.  (John, is that right??)

This nest and at least one more are over near the entrance of the camping area at Gulf State Park, Gulf Shores, Alabama (CR 2 entrance).  Photos taken January 19, 2010.

Here is another nest, very close to the first:

These dead trees stand where Hurricane Ivan flooded the state park.  The sea water killed a lot of vegetation.  New growth is coming, but these skeletons are strong reminders of the wrath of Mother Nature on a REALLY bad day.

There is quite a long page over at Wikipedia on Osprey.  Interesting reading.  This fabulous photo of an osprey was found at this web site about the Ashley National Forest. 

*Thanks Linda for the challenges and the opportunity to share some of my other photos.  Note to others:  Linda has not issued an official challenge.   However, Linda and I share many afflictions, errr, hobbies, so for her to mentally challenge me is sorta a natural.  I totally feel challenged by her photos, they are terrific and spur me on to hopefully better photos.

Copyright 2010, CABS for Reflections From the Fence.
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