Chappelle Excursions

06/17/2025

Never trust the weather man! LOL. We had a great trip out to Gaillard Island this morning. Unbeknownst to us, a treat was waiting for us in the wading pond on the South End. A beautiful Roseate Spoonbill! It is just an amazing, beautiful bird that loves to flaunt!

We were also greeted by a bounty of white fuzzy pelican chicks of all ages. The island is bursting with new life.

📸 Birders and nature photographers—now’s the time! Nesting season is in full swing, and the photo ops are unbelievable. From spoonbills striking a pose to pelican parents in action, there’s something wild around every corner.

06/15/2025

We had a great week here at Chappelle Excursions!

🎣 Tuesday
We had the pleasure of hosting the winners of a fundraiser trip benefiting Nature Connect Alabama school. A fun morning learning how to cast, set drag, and bait hooks with live shrimp—plus a few small trout and a feisty little rat red to top it off. Great fellowship and smiles all around!

⚓ Wednesday
An honor and privilege to take a family 3 miles offshore to lay a fisherman to rest in the waters he loved most. A peaceful, powerful day.

🪶 Thursday
We took the Banding Coalition of the Americas trip winners out to Gaillard Island, where we were surrounded by nesting birds of all kinds. A true birder’s paradise!

🌧️ Saturday
We almost beat the rain—but our "salty" group didn’t mind a little water from above! Before the storm caught us, we explored Blakeley Bar, birded up into Justin’s Bay, and spotted the first few American lotus blossoms in the Tensaw (another month and it will be a beautiful sight!). Then it was up Crab Creek, over to the Raft River, and back down the Tensaw for a full day of birding and wildlife.

06/05/2025

We had a fantastic day on the water with some of our dear friends and most loyal guests! 🚤🇺🇸⚓️ As a Captain for Blakeley State Park, I also lead Mobile Harbor and S.S. United States tours through the park—and today, I had the pleasure of bringing this couple out on a Chappelle Excursions private tour to explore two powerful pieces of history.🧭

📍 First stop: the S.S. United States—the historic Blue Riband winner that put America back on top as the fastest and safest ocean liner in the world🌎🚢 (a title it still holds!).

📍 Then, we journeyed to the site of the wreck of the Clotilda, the last known slave ship to bring African captives to America. A place of deep significance, it offers an opportunity for reflection and connection to our shared history.🕊️🛶

If you're interested in a custom tour like this—whether to learn more about maritime legends, American history, or the Port of Mobile—reach out. We’d love to help create a meaningful and memorable experience just for you.🗺️✨

📩 Message us to plan your custom tour!

05/16/2025

It is not always necessary to go out into the wilderness 🌿 to experience the beauty ✨ and true awesomeness of the adaptations different species have to survive in this world.

What we see as beauty 🎨 is what this moth relies on for survival. This is an Imperial Moth 🦋. It is classified in a section of the giant silkworm family. In late spring 🌼, they emerge from the soil 🌱, mate ❤️, and the female lays hundreds of eggs 🥚 in a wide variety of trees 🌳.
The imperial moth caterpillar feeds on a wide range of trees 🌳🌳.

The Imperial Moth is rare 🌟. You may ask—if the female moth lays so many eggs, why are they rare? Turns out that birds 🐦 think that the Imperial caterpillars are delicious 😋. Caterpillars feeding on foliage in an exposed position make for easy targets 🎯 for predators.

A mother is lucky 🍀 if two daughters of hundreds of her offspring survive to produce grandchildren.

Just a little information about a pretty bug 🐛.

05/09/2025

We had a great group trip this past Monday. We cruised out to Gaillard Island where the nesting pelicans and night herons did not disappoint. We saw a total of 42 different species of birds for the day. The weather was perfect!

05/01/2025

05/01/2025

Had a great morning trout fishing! Caught all these on topwater plus many more

04/27/2025

The birding was excellent out on the Mobile-Tensaw Delta this past week! 🌿🦆🦅
Monday: 37 species 📝
Friday: 35 species 📋
The temperatures are warming up ☀️🔥 and the gators are out and about! 🐊👀

Spring is here and it’s the perfect time to get out and explore!

04/19/2025

The more we learn, the more we can help. Invasive plants destroy ecosystems. It’s a trickle effect in the food chain. Everything affects everything, literally.

In a few short weeks Alabama will be covered with blooms of fluffy white and maroon colored grass. While some may think this plant is pretty blowing in the wind, it is one of Alabama’s most invasive plant species: cogongrass. ADAI and Alabama Forestry Commission continue joint efforts with Alabama Extension and Auburn University in reducing the spread of cogongrass through research, outreach, education and marketing.

Learn more about cogongrass identification and tips to stop the spread at www.aces.edu or by reading the Extension publication, www.aces.edu/blog/topics/forestry-wildlife/stop-cogongrass-hitchhikers/.

04/18/2025

This past week the birding has been exceptional for Gaillard Island and the Lower Mobile-Tensaw Delta! We have been averaging 40 different species of birds each trip. Here are a some photos of the past few days:

04/17/2025

🌊 Adventure Awaits! 🌊
Join Chappelle Excursions for a 4-hour morning group tour exploring the hidden gems of Mobile Bay! 🚤

🗓️ Next Tour: Monday, May 5th, 2025
🕗 Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Departs from 5 Rivers Delta Center

✨ Tour Highlights:
🪶 Visit the bird sanctuary at Gaillard Island – nesting pelicans and breathtaking views
💡 Cruise past the historic Middle Bay Lighthouse
📸 Perfect for nature lovers, photographers & adventure seekers

👥 Small Group Tour – Max 5 Guests
💲 $100 per adult | $65 per child (12 & under)

🔗 Book your spot today: https://www.chappelleexcursions.com/
📞 Questions? Message us or call 251-209-1649