Gulf Shores — Wildlife, Bikes, and a Beachful of Shells
Gulf Shores surprised us.
In the best possible way.
We were staying just across the street from the beach. A quick walk got us right to the sand. We walked it every day. Barefoot. Soul-filling.
We also rented bikes and took the bike trail through Gulf State Park. That’s where the wildlife found us.
The Alligator
Gulf State Park runs right along the coast, and its trails wind through ponds thick with lily pads and cypress trees. We spotted an alligator cruising through one of those ponds, barely disturbing the surface.
Alligator gliding through the lily pad pond at Gulf State Park.
Still. Patient. In no hurry at all.
The Heron
A great blue heron, perched high in a pine tree — absolutely enormous up there, completely at home.
Great blue heron keeping watch from a pine tree.
Such elegant birds.
The Tortoise
And then — a tortoise, just making its way across the sand.
A tortoise on the move at Gulf State Park.
Gulf Shores Beach
Outside the park, the Gulf Shores beach was right across the street. We walked it every morning. White sand, blue water, wide open.
Our footprints — and a long, quiet stretch of Gulf ahead.
And one morning, a great blue heron was out there too — walking the shoreline at its own unhurried pace.
Great blue heron strolling the Gulf Shores beach.
The Shells
The beachcombing here was amazing. We brought home a collection — sand dollars, scallops, barnacle-covered pieces that looked like tiny sculptures.
Barnacle piece up close — nature's own artwork.
Sand dollars, scallops, and more.
Sand dollars from the Gulf. So many whole ones!
Eight nights in Gulf Shores. Time well spent!
More Gulf Shores adventures to come!