Tag Archives: Coral

UNDERWATER :: Diver on Turtle Reef

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Chip Bunnell Photography of diver on underwater turtle reef in Grand CaymanWhile the Cayman Islands are known to many for their banking industry above the water, what appeals to me is their fame below the waves – their spectacular reefs! Each of the three islands is literally surrounded by lush reefs loaded “to the gills” with beautiful marine life. Admittedly, we have many of these same features in our local South Florida waters, which is why I moved here many years ago, but there is one big difference…Walls! Yes, underwater “walls” are one of the many treats that makes the journey to the Cayman Islands so rewarding.

Image a tranquil Caribbean reef. The top can be as shallow as 12’ below crystal clear, blue water. As you slowly move, you see the coral and fish life interact. Looking forward, you see the reef appear to almost stop. As you get closer you see it does not stop, but rather drops. As you swim out over the wall you see that it dramatically falls 50’, 70’, 100’ or even over 6,000’ straight down! That is an underwater wall. A combination of uncertainty and exhilaration fills you as you truly feel as though you are flying. Feeling once again calm, you see how the beauty of the reef follows the wall down. As you descend, the normal up and down of our world have little meaning to life that lives on a vertical plane. A multitude of coral species continues to grow in unique directions. Fish view the wall side as their new bottom and swim at a 90 degree angle from what we think is common. The deeper you descend, the light becomes a little more reduced and the marine life changes. Only through the power of underwater lights can the human eye see the true color of life on the reef wall. Diving a wall is truly one of the greatest natural treats to experience.

I made this image on Turtle Reef. Located near the famous turtle farm on Grand Cayman, you can see just a small taste of the numerous soft corals, sea fans and barrel sponges that frequent the wall edge. In fact, the entire wall surface is literally alive with organisms that make up the base of the underwater world. My beautiful bride, who has become quite an accomplished underwater model, adds the human element to the image. The soft ripples of the surface water can be seen above. We eagerly await our return to this aquatic paradise.

Single Frame, processed in LR, PS and Topaz Clarity

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