11/20/2009

Our little zoo that could

One of the treasures on the Alabama Gulf Coast is a little zoo in the heart of Gulf Shores. The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is only blocks from the beach, but a little off of Highway 59 and not easy to see. When you find it, you are truly finding a treasure.

I was talking to a friend recently and mentioned going to the zoo to take some pictures. He asked me what kind of zoo I was talking about. Of course, I had to explain that there is a “real” zoo in Gulf Shores and it is also famous.

The Animal Planet did a 13-week series in 2006 called “The Little Zoo That Could.” The series documents the trials and tribulations the zoo crew faced when evacuating for Hurricanes Ivan, Dennis and Katrina in 2004 and 2005. The show about the little zoo was broadcast around the world and people everywhere fell in love with the zoo and its more than 300 inhabitants.

Last week was my first trip to the zoo and I fell in love with its up-close and personal feel. I’ve been to zoos before in Memphis and San Diego. You could see the animals, but there was a distant, antiseptic feel to the experience. The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is like the rest of our coast, friendly. We didn’t have time to tour the entire 17 acres so that means I have to return soon to see the rest of the more than 300 animals that walk, crawl, jump, fly, swim and slither.

I admit, I was there on business and the zoo director, Patti Hall, gave my co-worker and me a wonderful tour. Patti allowed us in the barrier area between the fence and public viewing area. We blew our breath in the face of enormous Bengal tigers (through the fence, of course) and our palms were licked by tigers and black leopards. Camels stuck their heads out to have their noses rubbed. It was an amazing experience. But, like I said, we were getting special treatment. Or, were we? As we were watching two rare Bengal tiger cubs (one is snow-white with beautiful blue eyes), a family with two boys came by and were looking at the tigers, too. Patti asked if they had a camera and when she received a positive response, asked if the boys wanted to come where we were to interact with the almost-grown cubs.

The two boys were very excited and a little nervous. There was a very strong chain link fence between us, but the big cats were fast and had very big teeth. The boys greeted the female like a tiger by puffing breath into her face. She rubbed against the fence and they were able to feel her soft fur. It was definitely something they were going to go home and tell their friends about.

I am telling you this to show although this is a serious business with big animals and big responsibilities. Patti Hall, her crew and volunteers have big hearts. The community loves the zoo and the zoo loves the community. The menagerie will be moving a little north and opening a beautiful new zoo on 25 acres of donated land on Baldwin County Road 6 in early 2011. The new location is on high ground and the animals and keepers will be much safer from Mother Nature.
According to Patti, although the park will be larger with more attractions, the zoo will keep the “small park” feel everyone has come to expect from “The Little Zoo That Could.”

11/17/2009

November Fishing Report from Capt. Randy Boggs

Inshore there a quiet a few flounder still around. King and Spanish mackerel are still biting trolling inshore.

Red fish have shown up around the bridge and rocks at Perdido Pass and just outside the pass. These fish are being caught trolling with planers with spoons behind them.

Fishing continues to be good offshore in the 100’ plus depths for vermillion snapper which are being caught on cut squid and small pieces of cigar minnow. There has been a huge showing of trigger fish. A lot of the fish are short but there are plenty of keepers mixed in with them.

The grouper and scamp are beginning to bite in the 200’ to 300’ depth range. Live baits seem to be working for the scamp, and smaller pin fish and larger baits for the grouper.

The black fin tuna have shown up at the rigs and are being caught at night on diamond jigs. There have been good reports of yellow fin tuna caught trolling ballyhoo or chunking.

Capt. Randy Boggs

Reel Surprise Charters @ SanRoc Cay Marina

www.reelsurprisecharters.com or www.sanroccay.com

11/10/2009

There’s always something going on

I hear people say there isn’t anything to do on the coast this time of year. I don’t agree. There is always something going on somewhere. All you have to do is look.

This past weekend, our neighbors to the east on Perdido Key had a martini festival. This was the third annual, I somehow missed the first two and I am sorry I did. It was actually a lot of fun. More than 20 booths from liquor distributors were set up in the shopping center around The Jellyfish Bar in Perdido Key. Each booth had at least two different versions of a martini to sample, most had three. For the price of a ticket, you could sample any of the tiny martinis as often as you wanted. What a great festival.

Alcohol wasn’t the only thing available. There were also barbeque plates, fine art, water, soft drinks, extreme bartending demonstrations and entertainment. A live band played most of the afternoon and then came the fun part, The Gulf Coast Bartender Competition. Bartenders from across the Gulf Coast set out to prove they were the best on the coast. It was a big deal. The winner received $500 and the proceeds from the sale of the martinis created for the competition. These martinis were auctioned when they were made and some went for more than $50.

It was a great way to spend a warm, beautiful November afternoon. I left just before the winner of the competition was announced, so I can’t tell you where to buy the best martini made on the coast. All I can say is that all of the bartenders were very creative and some of the presentations were very entertaining. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach restaurants were well represented and their concoctions went for a pretty high price.

The proceeds from the festival and golf tournament go to local charities. Here’s to martinis and good causes. Cheers.


post provided by Luanne Burnett

11/04/2009

Oysters, oysters and more oysters

The Gulf Coast is the best place in the world for fresh oysters. The Gulf States supply about two-thirds of U.S. oysters. So, we know what we are doing when it comes to eating and preparing the delicacy. For oyster lovers, the next two weekends are the best time to be on the Alabama Gulf Coast.

To start the bivalve celebration, the second annual Oyster Cookoff at The Hangout in Gulf Shores is Saturday, November 7. The free event features teams of chefs and individuals competing in four categories – Barbeque, Gulf Coast Cajun, Classic Rockefeller and Create Your Own. While sampling the luscious fare, you can watch the LSU and Alabama game. What more could you ask for on a Saturday afternoon. A team of three judges will determine the category winners. The first prize is $1,000. The favorite of public attending the event will receive a People’s Choice Award.

If that isn’t enough oysters for you (it isn’t for me), Saturday, November 14, make your way out County Road 10 to the Tin Top Market, Restaurant & Oyster Bar. The first Bon Secour Oyster & Wine Festival will take place on the grounds from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be live music, wine samplings from Sonoma and Napa Valley and all-you-can-eat baked oysters. Admission is a bargain at $10. There is also a competition for teams with a grand prize of $1,000 and $500 people’s choice prize. The categories are Classic – Oyster Rockefeller and Oyster Bienville, Barbeque and Open. This creates more great oysters to sample.

If you aren’t already here, make plans to come on down. We’ll try to save a few oysters for you. If you haven’t eaten fresh oysters from the Gulf of Mexico, you are in for a treat!


post provided by Luanne Burnett