Did you post this on Name That Plant? There is a person who posts there, esh_ga, who knows ferns well.

After looking at info i could find on-line, it looks like
Woodwardia virginica (Virginia chainfern).

I might try the other forum if nobody else has an opinion.

Sorry, Todd. I'm not very good with ferns. Wish I could help.

i'm no fern doctor but it looks similar to some on my property that were identified as southern wood fern (dryopteris ludoviciana) by a gardening friend. They can be difficult for me to properly i.d.

Here is a link that might be useful: fern library

I got southern wood fern from a plant sale at BBG, and it has a slightly "fuzzy'
stipe (base) I think, and I don't think this is it. I walked around the fern garden at the BBG today, and my fern looks either like one type of Lady Fern or the Virginia Chain fern, but I haven't got it for sure yet.

Fern IDing isn't easy, and there were a few things in the nursery area at the gardens today I'm sure were not labeled correctly. (Actually, it usually turns out that the few plants I want to ID for sure are the only ones WITHOUT labels..GRRRRRRRR!) So I think they are easily confused by anyone.

{{gwi:363921}}

I don't think it looks quite like a Lady fern (the stems look too sturdy), definitely seems more like a Dryopteris. Although Woodwardia virginica is widely distributed in Alabama - but it prefers wet swampy areas.

One source I find helpful when considering naturally occurring plants is the USDA Plants Database. It provides some distribution maps to see if what you think it might be is even found in your area (Shelby County in this case). While not perfect, sometimes it can rule out certain things.

I do find that certain ferns are very hard to identify and this one would be no exception as it resembles several different kinds.

Here is a link that might be useful: Dryopteris ludoviciana distribution in Alabama for example