December Waves Timelapse in Orange Beach, Alabama | Calming Gulf Coast Video

December Gulf Waves in Motion: A Calming Timelapse from Orange Beach, Alabama

Every season on the Gulf Coast has its own personality, but there is something especially peaceful about December on the beaches of Orange Beach. Recently, I set up my camera in the sand and captured a timelapse of the ocean waves that felt less like a video project and more like a small therapy session with the Gulf of Mexico.

The water that day was a beautiful shade of turquoise, rolling in gentle, steady lines. The sand was as white as snow, almost glowing against the blue of the sky. Frame by frame, the scene unfolded like a living postcard, and I knew this needed to live on my website, www.searchthegulf.com, not just on my camera card.

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Sassafras on Ono Island: Uses, Filé Powder, and Foraging Tips | Meredith Folger Amon

Sassafras on Ono Island, Alabama: What It Is and Why People Pick It

Sassafras is one of those quietly iconic Southern trees that can stop you in your tracks once you learn to recognize it. Around Ono Island and Orange Beach, I hear people talk about “the mitten-leaf tree” they like to pick from. Most of the time, they mean sassafras.

“Once you know sassafras, you start seeing it everywhere — the mitten-shaped leaves, the unmistakable spicy-citrus scent, and that old-school Southern connection to gumbo.”

What is sassafras

Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) is a native North American tree in the laurel family. It’s known for its aromatic leaves and roots, its vivid fall color, and its famously variable leaf…

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An Afternoon on Ono Island

An Afternoon on Ono Island

This afternoon, I am sitting on Ono Island, feeling overwhelmingly grateful to call this island home. The world feels quiet in the best way, and as I look out over Old River, the view pulls me into one of those rare moments where everything slows down.

The December light is softer this time of year. The sun drifts through the clouds and sends rays from every direction, almost like the sky is putting on a quiet, private show for anyone taking the time to notice. Right in the middle of that light are two pelicans in flight.

They are flying together so beautifully that it…

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Best Southern Gulf Coast Fried Chicken Recipe | Meredith Folger Amon

SUNDAY SKILLET FRIED CHICKEN, GULF COAST STYLE

There are recipes that taste like a place, and then there are recipes that taste like a time. For me, the best Southern fried chicken starts on the Georgia farm where I was raised, with Sunday clothes still crisp from church, and the steady rhythm of my Aunt Gladys and my grandmother working the kitchen like it was second nature. On the Gulf Coast, I still make it the same way: patient, cast-iron, and confident, with a little coastal edge that fits life down here.

"If you keep the oil steady and your hands dry, the crust will sing. That sound is how you know you did it right."

Why this is my best Southern Gulf Coast fried chicken

Back in…

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August 2025 Ono Island Market Report | Meredith Amon

Ono Island Market Report: August 4, 2025

By Meredith Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida
"Guided by Integrity. Backed by Experience. Search the Gulf with Meredith Amon."

Living on Ono Island, I feel a deep connection to this unique community—and staying on top of the real estate trends is a natural part of my day-to-day. As of August 4, 2025, here’s what I’m seeing on the island:

Current Market Snapshot

• 51 Active and Active Under Contract Homes

• 8 Pending Sales

• 15 Homes Sold in the past 60 days

Prices currently range from the low $500s to $7.9 million, offering something for everyone—from interior island cottages to canal-front retreats and expansive waterfront estates with deep water access.

…

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Summer Sunset on Ono Island | Why I Love Living on the Gulf Coast

Golden Hour on Ono Island: Why Summer on the Gulf Coast Captivates My Heart

By Meredith Amon, Licensed In Alabama and Florida
"Guided by Integrity. Backed by Experience. Search the Gulf with Meredith Amon."

Last night, I took a moment to step back, breathe deeply, and just appreciate the view from my home on Ono Island. I snapped this photo from the north side of the island, looking out across the calm water as the July sun dipped below the horizon. The golden glow reflected across the bay like a ribbon of light, while the boats rested quietly at the dock, their reflections gently swaying with the current.

It was one of those warm summer evenings where everything slows down. The breeze softens. The sky turns to art. And the entire island…

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The 2025 Orange Beach Billfish Classic: A Legendary Weekend at The Wharf

The 2025 Orange Beach Billfish Classic: A Legendary Weekend at The Wharf

By Meredith Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida
Guided by Integrity. Backed by Experience. Search the Gulf with Meredith Amon

Each May, the Gulf Coast’s elite fishing community converges at The Wharf in Orange Beach for one of the most iconic offshore tournaments in the country—the Orange Beach Billfish Classic. The 2025 edition did not disappoint. With record-caliber catches, seasoned pros, and rising stars battling Gulf waters, this year’s Classic once again showcased the strength, strategy, and Southern hospitality that define Orange Beach sportfishing.

2025 Winners: Champions of the Deep

Blue Marlin Champion
Boat: CE
Weight: 640.2 lbs.
Angler: Scott…

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Gulf Highlands vs. Orange Beach: Where to Invest on the Gulf Coast

Gulf Highlands, Florida vs. Orange Beach, Alabama: A Gulf Coast Real Estate Comparison

Investors and second-home buyers are increasingly drawn to the laid-back charm and long-term potential of the Gulf Coast. Two standout locations—Gulf Highlands, Florida and Orange Beach, Alabama—offer very different experiences, both in terms of lifestyle and investment returns. This comparison breaks down the advantages, disadvantages, taxes, rental income potential, and overall character of each destination to help buyers determine the better fit for their goals.

Location & Lifestyle

Gulf Highlands, Florida is located just west of Panama City Beach and east of 30A. Known for its wide lot sizes and quieter atmosphere, it attracts buyers seeking…

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Flood Zones on Ono Island & Orange Beach, AL | A Real Estate Guide

Understanding Flood Zones on Ono Island and Orange Beach, Alabama: What Every Buyer and Homeowner Needs to Know 

By Meredith Amon, Licensed In Alabama and Florida
"Guided by Integrity. Backed by Experience. Search the Gulf with Meredith Amon."

Flood Zones and Real Estate: What You Need to Know Living on the Coast

As a real estate advisor and homeowner on Ono Island, one of the most common—and important—questions I’m asked involves flood zones and how they affect property ownership, especially insurance rates. With years of experience selling luxury homes, including the complexities of coastal properties in Orange Beach and Ono Island, I’ve learned how vital it is to be informed about flood zones before buying, building, or refinancing a…

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Ono Island Grilled Swordfish & Eggplant Kebabs | Orange Beach, Alabama

Grilled Swordfish & Eggplant Kebabs — An Ono Island Recipe

Orange Beach, Alabama

When I’m cooking on Ono Island, I want food that feels coastal, unfussy, and made for grilling barefoot with a Gulf breeze rolling through. This grilled swordfish and eggplant skewer recipe is one I come back to again and again—it’s fresh, hearty, and perfect for Orange Beach evenings when the sun hangs low and dinner happens outside.

What I Use

Kebabs

• 1½ lb fresh swordfish, cut into 1½–2 inch cubes

• 1 large eggplant, cut into 1½-inch cubes

• 1½–2 cups cherry tomatoes

• 4–6 scallions, cut into 2-inch pieces

• 2 lemons (one sliced into rounds, one for juice & zest)

• Olive oil

• Kosher salt & freshly…

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