Category Archives: Landscape

LOCATION :: A Flag to Honor Veterans

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Chip Bunnell Photography Flag over Stream

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We all have gifts, talents and abilities. Each has their own set. When those sets are added to others, incredible things can be achieved.

A special group of individuals possess the ability to volunteer to protect others. They leave their families and friends, often traveling to far lands, all with the goal to help others as well making sure we, in the home they left, can sleep safer each night. Even though they may fear their task, they appear to be fearless to all those that see them. Their commitment to protecting the freedoms of those seeking a peaceful life are paid with the sweat of their brow, the injuries they receive and even with the willful giving of their own lives. It is a special group indeed that are willing to make such heroic sacrifices for people they may never meet.

On my travels through north Georgia, I stumbled upon this very historic grist mill. To celebrate this weekend, they proudly had hung a brand new flag on the corner post. I was impressed with the bold colors of the flag standing out from the soft surrounding earth tones. The flowing stream in the background added to the prefect setting.

Today, on this Veteran’s Day, we honor all those that have served to help make this world a safer, freer place. Thank you for your service and giving us a gift as you shared your talents and abilities.

Photo Stuff: Single Frame, Processed in LR

www.ChipBunnell.com

NATURE :: Showing Up at Coral Caves

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Chip Bunnell Photography Jupiter Palm Beach Delray FloridaWoody Allen once said, “Eighty percent of success is showing up.” This morning that quote proved to once again be true. I continued on my now week long streak of awakening long before the sunrise, 4:30 this morning, and venturing into the darkness. Armed with only a camera, a few lenses, a tripod and my trusty iPad (never leave home without it), I set out to, well, see what there was to see.

Once again The Force took me north towards Jupiter. I have been enjoying the postings of photographer Steve Huskisson and feeling a bit jealous of his recent wonderful encounters with turtles laying their eggs on the beach in the early morning light. I was in hopes that today would be my day for a similar experience. Upon arrival, the sign read “Yes, we have no turtles today”, but I found something almost as fascinating. The tides, sunrise and the winds all had a conference last night and agreed to reward my early morning efforts. As I walked up the boardwalk, I saw a perfectly flat ocean – one you could skip a rock over – and an incredibly low tide. Okay, so what’s so impressive about this? Let me explain….

This particular location is known as Coral Caves. The reason: there are very unique and rugged coral formations where the ocean waves crash against before meeting the soft sand. The force of the water has cut holes in the coral, creating interesting shapes and valleys. Some have even become “blow holes” that send the oncoming waves spraying into the air. But today, due to the exceedingly low tide and unbelievably flat seas, these coral formations were complete exposed! The water had retreated and left the rocks vulnerable to my camera lens and allowed me to capture this intimate moment. Fortunately, I had my hiking flip-flops on…as opposed to my formal flip-flops…which allowed me to traverse the jagged rock tops. I was now walking where marine life normally lives. It was actually a very surreal moment.

This image gives a glimpse of the vast expanse I was part of this morning. There were just enough clouds to frame the sun as it burst through morning sky. It is rare to see all the elements line up to make such an interesting moment. Woody Allen would be proud – just by showing up, I was able to find success in the image and be part of the story.

3 Frame HDR, Processed in Photomatix Pro, LR and Topaz Clarity

www.ChipBunnell.com