(Nature Boy – Nat King Cole)
Today we went on a guided bird and nature walk: The Pine Beach Trail at Bon Secour. 
I found this information online.
Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge was established by Congress in 1980 for the protection of neotropical migratory songbird habitat and threatened and endangered species.
Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge encompasses some of Alabama’s last remaining undisturbed coastal barrier habitat. The name Bon Secour comes from the French meaning “safe harbor,” very appropriate considering the sanctuary for native flora and fauna the refuge provides.
Pine Beach Trail is a 5.1 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Gulf Shores, Alabama that offers the chance to see wildlife and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and birding and is accessible year-round.
This is some of the best beach habitat left along the Gulf Coast around here. There are some amazing dunes at the end, but before you get there you get to see the transition of ecosystems from a pine forest to a stunted live oak maritime forest to the scrub of the back dunes and then the sea oats on the fore dunes. This hike is a great way to experience what the coast looked like before all of the condos and parking lots. Gator Lake is fresh and has lots of alligators, and the basin on the other side of the trail is brackish and has fish and crabs.
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/bon_secour/visitor_activities/trails.html
Although Richard may be a nature boy I am definitely not a nature girl. I enjoy being outside (when it’s warm). I love walking. I do not enjoy poking along. We were walking slower than bridesmaids and the bride walking down the aisle. I kept singing to the guide in my mind,” Hey bus driver speed up a little bit.”. Way too slow for me. We saw no birds, no animals, no reptiles, and no amphibians but the guide did point out a few plants. Good Lord. I think when they say that it offers the chance to see wildlife what they actually meant was not a chance in hell you’ll see wildlife. Lol. That’s probably my first and last guided nature walk.
Nite y’all 😴
Debi's Junket Journal 