A glance at the map tells you all you need to know about Dauphin Island. You’ll quickly ascertain that it is a barrier island in Alabama near the Mississippi border. 15 miles long and generally less than a quarter mile wide, it is essentially one long strip of pure white sandy shores. Needless to say, it is these beaches that attract sun-starved visitors. But with the beach comes other joys. The next several islands to the west are protected land, part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. This allows wildlife to thrive, both in the sea and in the air. Great hosts of birds, dolphins, and manatees continually grace Dauphin…