Passengers aboard the Delta Explorer are urged to keep an eagle eye out for unusual wildlife sights as they cruise through backwaters of the huge Tensaw-Mobile River Delta that lies between Baldwin and Mobile counties. 

Eagle eyes of the Blakeley Park crew and U.S. Coast Guard inspectors recently (Aug. 9) alerted them to sight a half-dozen osprey buzzing the nest of a juvenile they were attempting to coach into taking his first flight. As they discussed the osprey sighting a bald eagle swooped by and snatched a fish from the river just ahead of a screeching bird that had put that fish on his menu.

“It was awesome”, said one of the Blakeley Park rangers. “You never know what you might see besides alligators on these tours into the Delta. “ The next tour by Blakeley Park is Saturday, Aug. 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

The 50-passenger Blakeley Park boat has just completed its required U.S. Coast Guard annual operations inspection and its five-year-hull inspection. While the boat was in dry dock for the hull inspection Blakeley Park had it thoroughly scraped of barnacles and the pontoons repainted. “With that and the new motors it was really moving along sharply”, said Captain Steve Day.

Tickets for the two-hour guided tour are $22 for adults, $12 for children ages 6-12 and free to children 4-5. Tickets may be purchased the day of the tour or seating may be reserved by calling 626-5581 and paying in advance with major credit cards.

Blakeley Park is located on State Hwy. 225 about 4.5 north of its intersection with U.S. 31 at Spanish Fort. For information on school and other charter trips on the Delta Explorer call 251-626-0798.