The Alabama coast dodged a bullet when Isaias decided to go east a bit and come on shore around Navarre Florida. Not much damage, and the power came back online quickly, so we headed down to enjoy the lovely post storm weather. Great biking weather and lots of opportunity to observe wildlife in the park while we pedalled 15 or 16 miles/day. Yes -- we are still people powered cyclists surrounded by so many ebikes.

Lefty was around every day. She actually exited the water and enjoyed sunning on the bank a couple of days. Fortunately there is a fence with people on one side and Lefty (the alligator) on the other side. We even spotted a "baby" a couple of times.

Since I didn't tote my big camera and long lens, my eagle pictures are marginal. For fall of 2026 we spotted 2 active nests: one visible on from the Beach Mouse trail, and the other at the long standing nest on the other side of Lake Shelby. The third nest from last year did not appear to have been rebuilt. It was knocked down in a storm with baby eagles on board. The young ones were sent up to Auburn to the raptor center, but were too severely injured and didn't make it.

Another, somewhat exciting sighting was a 3 or 4 foot water moccasin (cottonmouth) that wandered across the path near the Easgle Crossing viewing station. Fortunately for all involved, it decided to move along back toward the lake without incident.

Dinner at Tacky Jack's OBA included a show by a heron as well.

We also witnessed a striking sunset. I never seen that sort of ray pattern at sunset before.

What a beautiful sunset!

Photos from the park

While at dinner, a heron decided to put on a show as well