The area along Alabama’s gulf coast is unique with great beaches and wildlife refuges. More than 370 species of birds have been identified on the refuge during migratory seasons. The largest are usually ospreys and several species of herons. At the other extreme, seven species of hummingbirds have been identified. Mammals such as red fox, coyotes, and armadillos are also present. “Bon Secour” loosely translated means “Safe Harbor.” The area is diverse making it a great habitat for birds, the endangered sea turtle and a wide variety of plants. It is one of Alabama’s Ten Natural Wonders.
Take a walking tour of the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge - the Jeff Friend Trail which was only one mile long; it is wheelchair accessible. The trail went through a maritime forest and by Little Lagoon with lotus blossoms. The purplish beauty berries were everywhere. Guides explain the traditional uses for plants. Various parts of the beauty berry plant were used to treat malarial fevers, rheumatism, colic, itchy skin, and stomach aches. And, that is just one plant. It seems that everything had a use at one time. There are many interesting aspect of the refuge. Thousands of monarch butterfly use Bon Secour as a rest stop on their long migratory flight across the Gulf.
http://www.examiner.com/article/visit-alabama-s-bon-secour-national-wildlife-refuge
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