Sturgeon Bay Canal Pierhead

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Chip Bunnell Photography Architecture Lighthouse

As summer has arrived and I look forward to the adventures that will come, I also find myself reflecting on activities from last year as well. In just a few weeks will mark the 1 year anniversary of my 1st visit to Door County, WI, a tourist hotspot for those in WI and Chicago. The weather was wonderful and the family fun-loving as always. During this trip my mother was able to join us. Much to her delight, we would spend a period of time visiting the local lighthouses and enjoying their different looks and architectural details. This is an image I made of one such lighthouse – The Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal Pierhead.

Located on Lake Michigan, there was a need for ships to have a long distance marker to show the entry to the canal leading to the protection of Sturgeon Bay. Construction on the 1,100’ long pier and the smaller 150’ adjacent pierhead was completed in November 1881. The wooden structure was completed in March 1882. May 15, 1882 marked the first night the red glow of the newly built light could be seen. Today, the lighthouse remains in operation and immaculate condition thanks to the Coast Guard personnel stationed in the lighthouse complex.

3 Frame Hand-held HDR, Processed in Photomatix Pro, LR and PS

www.ChipBunnell.com

NATURE :: Ruins of Sturgeon Bay

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Chip Bunnell Photography Architecture and LocationIn July 2012 we made a family trip to Door County, WI.  It is a wonderful area, filled with Americana and true Midwest hospitality.  Part of the adventure was helping my mom visit as many of the numerous lighthouses along the banks of Lake Michigan as we could.  Some were easily visible, while others required traveling down back roads until we finally emerged at the water’s edge.  This was the case as we ventured to Sturgeon Bay.

A sign from the main road took us through a nice residential area.  The further we drove, the thicker and thicker the forest became.  The 2 lane road began to be more in shade than sun due to the thick canopy above.  As a photographer, I was intrigued and excited to see the textures and play of light on the passing subjects.  At one point my eyes fixed on the ruins of a house.  Just the corner of the roof line was recognizable.  Thick vines, trees and high grass had now reclaimed the homestead as its own.  As I made this image, I found myself wondering who lived there, what their life was like and how long ago they had left this house to the forest.  Years from now, this same scene will look different, but I was there to capture this moment in time.

Singe Frame, Processed in LR

www.ChipBunnell.com