Tag Archives: Nature

LOCATION :: A Different S FL Sunrise

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Wakodahatchee Sunrise by Chip Bunnell PhotographyOver the last week I have been testing a new Olympus E-M1 4:3 mirrorless camera. While I am more than exceedingly pleased with my Canon 5D3 (okay, I pretty much love it), the thought of carrying less than 1/2 the weight, size, etc. is certainly appealing to my shoulders and back. Let’s face it, the ability to pack clothes for my many traveling adventure instead of all camera gear would be kind of nice as well.

When test driving a potential new car, you need to get off the boaring dealer-established 1 block x 1 block road path to see how it really handles the corners, accelerates and brakes. Sure, it may run good in 1st gear, but what about 4th…when the engine is revving high and the tires squeal around a turn? So too it is when test driving a new camera system.

My little foster-camera has been out with me long before sunrise, on the Miami Dolphin’s field under the bright cloudless sky, to the edge of the swampy Everglades and even seen the last light of day. All in all, it has performed without a complaint, well, once we learned how to communicate. Just like that new car, the radio controls and windshield wipers are always in a different place from your everyday driver. Yep – its the same between the fits-like-a-glove controls of my 5D3 and the potentially new Olympus E-M1. After breaking the highest cardinal rule of guy-code (reading the manual…but just barely), my foster Oly and I were finally communicating and working well as a team.

This image is one of the ones I made during one of my pre-dawn local excursions. I wanted to test the noise levels in the shadows and see how it would handle the harsh contrast to the bright sun ball. A little magic in Lightroom and a very pleasing result was received. I especially like the texture in the thick cloud ceiling hanging just above the single slot for the rising sun. The tranquil lake mirrored a stunning reflection of the tree line and sunburst. The raw color data was intact to allow the true richness to be shown. One other fun fact about this image – it was taken by holding the camera high above a fence and tilting the LCD screen down so I could see my composition. This would have been much more challenging with a larger, heavier system.

While there is no single tool that will accomplish all tasks equally well, I see a mirrorless camera as the perfect companion to my already awesome full frame beast. It’s portability and versatility allow for creativity to continue, even when there is not the time or space to carry a larger brother. While I must say a fond farewell to my borrowed system, it has opened my eyes to the possibility of a new permanent addition in our home.

Photo Stuff: Single Frame, Hand-Held. Processed in LR and Topaz Clarity

www.ChipBunnell.com
Copyright 2014 – All rights reserved

NATURE :: A Flurry of New Turtles

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Baby Sea Turtle Tracks in the morning sun by Chip Bunnell PhotographyFlorida is filled with many wonders of nature. Most famously, the alligator is literally a living dinosaur. Beautiful birds flock to the state and even a unique tiny deer lives near Key West. Under the warm, clear waters that surround South Florida one can find even more unique creatures such as several species of sea turtles. One of the greatest treats to divers is to see one of these majestic, and even at times playful, creatures gliding gracefully over the reef. But how did they get there? Where did they start their lives? The answer may surprise you.

Each year female turtles crawl out of the dark, night waters and pull themselves across the sand to lay their eggs. Their flippers dig until the hole is the correct depth to protect their unborn young. Like pirates of the past, this mother will bury the precious treasure, leaving the tropical sand to protect and warm the developing babies. She then slides back to the same dark night seas with a hope and prayer that her children will emerge heathy a ready to take their place on nearby colorful reefs.

Roughly 6 weeks later, under the cover of darkness, a ballet of activity begins. Each of the eggs crack open and one by one the baby turtles dig their way through their protective sand roof to take their first breathes in the night air. They scurry about on the sand, guided only by their instincts and the faint light of the pre-dawn sky as they desperately looking for their new watery home. Using their tiny flippers, they turn left and right until they find the safety of the awaiting ocean. As this new birth happens under the cover of darkness, few ever see this exicting event, but we can see the proof of a great miracle…if you know what to look for in the morning sun.

This image shows that proof. Notice, in the foreground, the markings on the sand. At first, they may seem random, almost as if made by large rain drops. Upon inspection, you will see defined trails – a small center trench with impressions on both sides. The trench is the indentation from the bottom of the young turtle’s shell. The impressions on the side are made by the flippers as they pull themselves towards the waiting sea. While I was not there to witness the birth of these new turtles, I found myself staring at the marks in the sand, thinking of the flurry and excitement that had happen just hours before. Perhaps one day I will see these very same turtles under the waves on the reefs just a short boat ride away.

3 Frame HDR, Processed in LR and Topaz Clarity

www.ChipBunnell.com