The Hummingbird Migration on the Alabama Gulf Coast

Along the Gulf Coast of Alabama, bird watchers are looking forward to spring and the seasonal arrival of the hummingbird migration to our area. The Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Fort Morgan area is a stop-over point for eleven different species of hummingbirds.


Hummingbirds reach the southern coast in late February and early March. Arrival time usually coincides with the food plants blooming. Hummingbirds depart with the end of the blooming season. Fall migration is from late July until late October in the South.

One of the species that is often spotted here is the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Archilochus colubris. It is identified by its emerald green back. The male is known by its ruby red throat and forked tail. The slightly larger female is white breasted with a white tipped rounded tail. Females are up to 25% larger than the males, which in a small bird make a huge difference.

Despite its tiny size, the Ruby has been seen chasing off birds much bigger than itself such as blue jays, crows, and hawks.

Hummingbirds migrate South in late Summer-Fall to follow food sources which die out with the cold in the North. During the hummingbird migration, the birds must fly hundreds of miles across the Gulf of Mexico to the Yucatan Peninsula for the winter.

Why birds migrate--

New research shows food scarcity motivates birds to migrate each year.

Hummingbirds use the Earth’s magnetic field to stay on course during migration. From a bird’s eye view- birds are attuned to wavelengths of light outside the visible range that humans see. A recent study suggests birds have the ability to “see” the planet's magnetic lines as patterns of light or color to navigate their surroundings.

Stocking up for the trip--

To stock up for the hummingbird migration, hummers go into a feeding frenzy to pack on a few extra grams. By eating more small insects and nectar than usual, they are able to nearly double its weight.

How you can help--

Hummingbirds need nectar to put on the fat necessary for their incredible journey ahead. You can help by putting out hummingbird feeders and planting flowering trees in your garden to attract these fascinating birds. A patch of trumpet-creeper vine is like a calling card to hummers. Although considered a nuisance plant to some gardeners, its thousands of nectar filled orange flowers are a natural food source for hummingbirds. Hummingbirds are attracted to the color red, which is why you will see most feeders colored red. Water sprinklers also draw in these tiniest of migrating birds.

Hummingbird food mixture--

Mix a nectar solution of 4 cups of water to 1 cup of sugar. Boil and cool. Do not use artificial sweeteners or honey. It can be refrigerated.

During hot weather, rinse out the feeder and add fresh food every few days.

Migrating hummers, as bird watchers call them, do not wear out their welcome and will move on in a few days but they do recall a favorite rest stop and will return next year for more Southern hospitality.

We are lucky to live in the flight path of these entertaining adventurous birds. To witness firsthand the hummingbird migration is one of nature’s amazing wonders you should not miss.

During the migratory seasons, hummingbirds are likely to show up anywhere, but the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge is a special place to view these tiny creatures, along with over 370 other bird species.

Beach Photography - The Art of Taking Great Photos on Your Beach Vacation

Beach photography is an extremely popular art form. It is hard to resist the urge to capture the rolling, unpredictable waves, the bright sparkles of sunlight that bounce off the glistening waters, the unusual shells that line the surface of the shimmering sands.

Nature is uninhibited, and absolutely gorgeous. If you enjoy photography, you are sure to benefit from this informative guide on how to capture the essence of the beach on film. It does not matter if you engage in photography for fun or if you do it professionally, you can learn a great deal about technique and strategy here in this beach photography guide.

When it comes to beach photography, there are several different methods and techniques that can be used to capture the sights. If you are a photographer, it is important to ensure that you attempt to capture pure emotion.

Your pictures must be organized so that someone can pull out a certain feeling, or bring an experience out of the picture. Now, this may sound like a challenging procedure, but if you know a few ways to do this, you are sure to capture the beautiful images that you set out to when indulging in photography of the ocean. The following methods have proven successful for many who have participated in beach photography:

1. The first step in capturing pictures that overwhelm the senses and emotions of an individual is to look around and focus on the first thing that draws your attention. It could be a seagull walking along the shoreline, or a particular cloud looming over the waves. You may see a slight breeze pressing against the palms…or, a small pool of water with a beat down sand castle along the side of it. If it draws your attention, it is likely to also draw the attention of your audience.

2. The next thing that you should do is focus on shadow. When it comes to beach scenes, it is common to see bright skies, lots of sunlight, and shimmering sands, but it is not often that you can capture an intriguing shadow. The shadow may come from a tree along the inviting shore, a rock sitting along the waves, or even a sailboat traveling across the luscious seas. The extreme mix of shadow and light often plays upon the senses of an individual. If you are able to capture this, you may just have that one picture that is actually worth TWO million words!

3. In beach photography, it seems that the “unchartered” territories are often the most intriguing to individuals. Most people want to walk across the rocks, but hold back. Many may want to check out that cave nestled in on the shore, but are frightened of the possible dangers or scary legends that surround the cave. If you want to have the best of the best when it comes to beaches, visit all those unchartered territories and capture various images of it on film.

4. If you want to add a little “color” to your shots, take the color completely out of the picture! Black and white photography of the ocean as well as the shore has been found to be quite popular among users. By doing this, you are creating a whole new atmosphere that is quite attractive to viewers. It has also been stated that this type of picture is more successful in drawing out the emotions of the individual that views it.

5. Chances are, you are going to get yourself a little wet. The waves crashing upon the shore, the droplets of water in the wind coming from the ocean, as well as storms, rain, and other types of condensation may all result in this. It is important that you are showing no inhibitions when photographing the immense ocean and beach that you are capturing. Sometimes, getting a little wet actually enhances the images that you are attempting to capture. It is important to make your viewer feel as if they are right there, playing in the waves, feeling the ocean breeze, and enjoying the warm rays of the sun.

There are numerous tips and techniques when it comes to beach photography. I could express what type of camera to use, the flash that should be purchased, what angle to shoot at, and more. The truth is, though, it is not about what equipment that you have as much as it is about the experience that you encounter while visiting the beach. If you shoot from the angle of experience, you will succeed in beach photography.

When you are visiting the Alabama Gulf Coast, be sure to take your camera everywhere. Good photo subjects have a way of showing up when and where you least expect it. I rarely leave home without my camera. When I do I usually end up saying, "That would have made a good picture." This brown pelican at an Orange Beach marina with the two new Turquoise Place condo towers in the background captures many different thoughts in one small photo.

Yes, You Can Find Arrowheads

I have just published a new eBook: "Yes, You Can Find Arrowheads."

You can find it at the Amazon link on the right side bar . You do not have to own a Kindle to download. You can download straight to your desktop, smart phone, or Ipad.


This book is aimed for the beginning arrowhead hunter. I have found hundreds of arrowheads and other artifacts. The knowledge that I have used to find my arrowheads is in this book, without a lot of information that would just confuse a beginner. There's plenty of time for more information after you've found your first artifacts.