Blog – Page 2 – The Alabama Tourist

August 8, 2020August 8, 2020

Come to the Bayou

Nestled on the Mississippi Sound, along the Gulf of Mexico, is the city of Bayou La Batre located in South Mobile County, Alabama. This historic French city, pronounced “By-luh-ba-tree”, is a fishing community known as the Seafood Capitol of Alabama because of the seafood-processing harbor along the water for fishing boats and shrimp boats. This seafood industry has a great economic impact on our State more than $400 million including other seafood brought in from other states to process. Bayou La Batre is also known for their great history of shipbuilding of fishing vessels to passenger vessels. Along Shell Belt Road is a favorite area of mine to photograph the different personalities of the shrimp boats docked along the old weathered piers and capture water birds, such as pelicans and herons, that live along the water. Of course, Sunsets and sunrises always bring great mood and light to the scene.

Bayou La Batre was made famous in the 1994 movie, “Forrest Gump”. Who can forget all the great shrimp dishes Forrest’s friend Bubba describes in the movie? Did I forget to tell you how fabulous the seafood restaurants are in this charming city? Shout out to the Lighthouse Restaurant and the Catalina Restaurant for the best mouthwatering seafood in the Bayou. Believe me, these are the places to go for the freshest seafood. Another fun fact is that Disney Studios had secretly built the Black Pearl in the Bayou La Batre shipyard that was featured in the “Pirates of the Caribbean”. Also, Discovery Channel “Big Shrimpin” TV series was produced to showcase shrimpers and their boats all from Bayou La Batre.

This community loves to host events to celebrate their seafood industry. The most famous is the “Blessing of the Fleet”. This event takes place on May 4^th and 5^th every year and is the unofficial kick-off to the shrimping season. The Fleet Blessing ceremony takes place on the dock at St. Margaret Parish with the Archbishop of the Diocese of Mobile who begins the ceremony with a prayer. All kinds of decorated boats form a procession behind the boat carrying the Archbishop, where they parade to the mouth of the bayou and back while the Archbishop blesses the boats for a bountiful harvest and protection and safety of the men and women at sea. The newest event I plan to attend is their first annual Oyster Fest which is to take place on Saturday, October 2, 2021. I cannot wait for more details to be released. I do love me some good char-grilled oysters.

Finally, I am so excited for Bayou La Batre’s newest project to revitalize its waterfront and protect the shoreline habitats. This project will protect 127 acres of land and install 1.5 miles of breakwater. The public will also have added access for recreation and fishing opportunities. It is called the Lightning Point restoration project and will help rebuild the diminishing coastline. This project will include shoreline protection, habitat creation of 40 acres of march, tidal creeks and habitats that include and support fish, shellfish, and birds of all kind. There will also be boat ramps, walking trails and a lookout point for the community to enjoy. I am so excited for this new habit which will encourage diversity of the plants and animals. Lightning Point project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2020. So, come to the Bayou and enjoy this hidden diamond in the rough.

July 19, 2020July 19, 2020

Dauphin Island – Sunset and Sunrise Capital of Alabama

One could write a book about this historic, quaint, laid-backed barrier resort island known as the Sunset Capital of Alabama. But for me, Dauphin Island also boasts of colorful panoramic sunrises. I love to visit this little bit of paradise we have right here on the Gulf Coast. It is such a thrill to cross the three-mile Dauphin Island Bridge from the mainland of Mobile County over the Gulf Coast Intercoastal Waterway to the island because I know what hidden gems it holds. The bridge is the only way on and off the island other than ferry on the east end. There are approximately 1300 residents on this 14-mile-long island.

The best place to catch a magnificent sunset is on the far west end of Dauphin Island. There is a public beach with plenty of parking for a small fee during the day. Here you will find soft white sands and sea oats on small sandhills. If there is a storm on the horizon, you will catch a spectacular show. After the sun slips below the horizon, the sky will burst into colors of yellow, orange and red. There are also plenty of shells for your treasure hunt and you might even see a dolphin or two. Every sunset is different and so peaceful with the surf roaring and waves ebbing and flowing on the shore with various shore birds flying about. The west end is perfect for a long beach walk, but it is several miles long so bring plenty of water.

For those early birds, the east end sunrise is just as spectacular, but with a whole different flavor. Fort Gaines marks the east end of Dauphin Island. This fort, built before the Civil War, was a stronghold in the Battle of Mobile Bay. To the south of the fort, you will find a parking for the boaters enjoying their day on the water. Near the boat launch is a small fishing pier that is popular with locals and tourists and is home to a hungry heron that is ever the opportunist looking to snatch him a fish. There are plenty of benches and rocks to rest on while you drink your coffee and enjoy the early morning light show. There is always interesting activity to observe from friendly boaters leaving for a fun day on the water or the workboats coming and going. Several squadrons of pelicans fly across the painted sky right before daybreak, ushering in another day of Island wonders.

I enjoy the challenge of timing and composing a great sunrise shot and am seldom disappointed with the kaleidoscope of colors that inevitably burst from the heavens. Clouds drifting in can change the whole mood of the sky. The warm gulf breeze on my face and the smell of salt in the air just enhances the overall experience. I can tell you that sunrises and sunsets are unique as snowflakes and just as wonderous. Sometimes it is best to just relax and let the serenity of God’s given moment wash over and refresh your spirit. I know Dauphin Island holds a special place in my heart and I know it will for you, also. I invite you to subscribe to my post, as I will be sharing more detail about this secret tropical paradise of Alabama in future.

Please check out these other blogs on tips to capture the perfect sunrise and sunset:

East End Sunrise

Sunrise Boater

Dauphin Island Sunrise

12 Sunrise Photography Tips for Breathtaking Results

Tips From a Professional Photographer: How to Capture the Perfect Sunrise

Sunset Photography – The Guide to Perfect Golden Hour Pictures

“Every sunrise holds more promise, and every sunset holds more peace.” – Anonymous

July 4, 2020July 12, 2020

Gibbs Gardens: A Season to Remember

Colorful and majestic are two words I would use to describe my visit at Gibbs Gardens last month in June. It is nature at its finest, a garden experience I have never encountered on this grand of a scale. Gibbs Gardens is located at Ball Ground, GA in the northern part of the state. It is a private family estate turned into a world class public gardens and designed by Mr. Jim Gibbs, the founder of Gibbs Gardens. He developed and created 220 acres of perfectly landscaped gardens, lakes, streams, and ponds.

The Daylily Gardens were one of the highlights of my trip. They bloom in June and July. The vibrant rows of different variety of lilies stretched out over the estate as far as the eye could see. Yellow, orange, purple, pink: I felt like a child who just opened my 64 count of colored crayons with all the colors of the rainbow. I made my way along to the Waterlily Garden where there is a replica of the Monet Bridge which highlights these gardens. The water lilies were scattered about the pond with their mirrored reflections looking back at me. It was so peaceful.

Another treasured spot I discovered was the Japanese Gardens. I felt my inner photographer giggle with delight. Serenity is the word to best describe this 40 acre garden that looks like it is from some painting that I would have seen in a museum. Everywhere I look I saw spring-fed ponds, boulders, rocks and Japanese lanterns along with Japanese maples and meandering paths guide you to this little bit of heaven. I look forward to going back in the fall when over 1,000 maples turn brilliant shades of orange, red and yellow. This garden claims fame to be one of the largest Tsukiyama gardens in the nation.

If you would like more information on this botanical wonderland, please go to www.gibbsgardens.com. Hours of operation are March through May from Tuesday-Sunday 9:00am to 5:00pm and June through early December from Wednesday-Sunday 9:00am to 5:00pm. Every month there is a different colorful plant in full bloom. As for this photographer, I will have trouble choosing what images I want to frame.