Mid-January at Alabama’s Gulf State Park: Oh Beautiful for Spacious Skies!
Because this is the fourth and final GBH Blog Posts from my visit to Gulf State Park, allow me to repeat elements of my introduction from the first three: Introduction I toured Gulf State Park (GSP) January 18, 2019 from 8-5:30 with Kelly Reetz, Park Naturalist. See my January 28, 2019 Great Blue Heron Blog […]
Mid-January at Alabama’s Gulf State Park: Interior Forests and Prescribed Fire
Because this is the third of four GBH Blog Posts from my visit to Gulf State Park, allow me to repeat elements of my introduction: Introduction I toured Gulf State Park (GSP) January 18, 2019 from 8-5:30 with Kelly Reetz, Park Naturalist. See my January 28, 2019 Great Blue Heron Blog Post for my Overview: […]
Mid-January at Alabama’s Gulf State Park: Beach, Dunes, Savannas, and Interior Wetlands
I toured Gulf State Park (GSP) January 18, 2019 from 8-5:30 with Kelly Reetz, Park Naturalist. See my January 28, 2019 Great Blue Heron Blog Post for my Overview: https://stevejonesgbh.com/2019/01/28/mid-january-at-alabamas-gulf-state-park-overview/ The 2016 Gulf State Park Master Plan identified nine distinct GSP ecosystems: Evergreen Forests Pine Savannas Maritime Forests Dune Ridges / Sand Scrub habitats Fresh […]
Late November at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge — Fall Magic
November 25, 2018 we took our two Alabama grandsons to Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, several weeks before the geniuses in Washington DC once more failed to pass a budget. Thus, as I write these words on January 6, 2019, the partial government shutdown has kept me from the Visitors Center and observation building for over […]
Mid-January at Alabama’s Gulf State Park: Overview
I had been to Gulf State Park 20 years ago. Since then, several hurricanes, the Deepwater Horizon Spill, and subsequent settlement funds combined to both force and enable creation of an Alabama seacoast legacy project. Judy and I spent three nights at the new lodge January 16-18, 2019. I view the Park as Alabama’s globally […]
December 26, 2018 at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge: Reaping While Sowing
I’ll keep this Blog Post short. My two Alabama grandsons and their step-father accompanied me the day after Christmas to Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge. My two-part message is quite simple: Take advantage of every opportunity in Nature to sow seeds for making tomorrow brighter. Invest your time, knowledge, and passion for Nature in young people […]
Our Lives Mimic Nature — Lessons Learned from Tree Form Oddities
We took our two Alabama grandsons to nearby Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge November 25, 2018. I snapped the first three images below from our hike (Post issued December 11, 2018: https://stevejonesgbh.com/2018/12/11/late-november-at-wheeler-national-wildlife-refuge-tree-magic/). For this mid-January GBH Blog Post I have compiled these three with other photos of unusual tree shapes and forms I’ve photographed over this […]
Mid-November Skies at Camp McDowell
I spent two days at McDowell Camp and Conference Center (Winston County Alabama) mid-November 2018. My purpose was to conduct field exploration and staff interviews prior to developing a McDowell Land Legacy Story for the Camp’s 1,140 acres (see my November 27 Blog Post: https://stevejonesgbh.com/2018/11/27/mid-november-camp-mcdowell-land-legacy-orientation/ ) My purpose with this followup Post is to highlight […]
Suddenly Summer is Gone — Bradford Creek Greenway
December 4, 2018, three days after a 48-hour rain dropped over two inches, I bicycled a relaxing 15 miles on the Bradford Creek Greenway, just four miles from my home in Madison, Alabama. I dubbed this my summer is officially gone ride. The morning low had entered the mid-20s; almost all leaves were down; Bradford […]
Holiday Wishes from Steve at Great Blue Heron!
I’ve issued these Great Blue Heron Blog Posts routinely since January 2017. Both they and I have evolved over the two years. Perhaps I will reflect on that evolution as we enter the new year. For this Post, I will simply wish you Blessings for the Holiday Season and Joy for 2019! As you know, […]
Interpretive Signage at Cheaha State Park: Enhancing Nature Appreciation through Knowledge
Okay, time for the fifth of these Cheaha-themed Great Blue Heron Blog Posts from my mid-October visit to Alabama’s highest point. I believe fundamentally that every lesson for living, learning, serving, and leading is either written indelibly in Nature or is powerfully inspired by Nature. I incorporated that conclusion and its life-guiding forces throughout my […]
Late November Tree Magic at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge — Alabama State Parks Edition
I issued the core of this Great Blue Heron Blog Post yesterday evening, December 11, 2018. Its text, photos, reflections, and ruminations are applicable to each and every one of our 22 Alabama State Parks and their aggregate 74 square miles of beauty, magic, wonder, and awe. So, permit me to present the original Tree […]