Beachfront American Pride

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Beachside American Pride by Chip Bunnell Photography

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I love to celebrate the birth of our nation by walking around the morning of July 4 and finding people showing their American pride. I have been fortunate to carry on this tradition in various parts of our country, but this morning I was home based. When at home, there is no place better to walk than the beach!

The town was off to a sleepy start as many reposed after their 1st night of their 3 day weekend. The deep growl of approaching storms added a perfectly orchestrated sound track. Little by little, individuals and families began to stake out their own beachfront real estate for the day. The local chair rental pro was setting up his umbrellas while the lifeguards were positioning themselves for a busy Saturday at the ocean. Large gray clouds added texture and interest above.

As I made my walk, I noticed that one of the iconic lifeguard stations was proudly flying an American flag from his rail. This single station, being the only one adorned in our nation’s symbol, made me think that this was not placed by the city, but rather a single individual wanting to show his national pride. I saw it as a sign of gratitude to all those freedom-loving patriots before us and the sacrifices they made. There was no great fanfare or spotlight, just a simple American flag hanging proudly for all to notice.

On this July 4th, take a moment to show your love our nation and the freedoms we enjoy. Celebrate this special anniversary and give thanks to those that made our freedom’s possible. Happy Independence Day – May God bless the USA!

Photo Stuff: Single frame, processed in LR and Topaz Clarity

www.ChipBunnell.com
©2015 All Rights Reserved

Sunrise Flame

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Sunrise Flame by Chip Bunnell Photography

Warmth on a cold day. Light to show us the way. The transformation of raw ingredients into a life giving meal.  Our ancestors, several millennium ago, discovered how a simple fire had almost magical properties.

Fast forwarding to modern days, do we not have a special feeling as we gather around a campfire on a chilly night? Do we not feel security in a well lit path through dark woods? Do we not love the taste of a warm meal after a long day? Even with our modern understanding, fire still has these same magical properties in our lives.

Several hundred years ago, people far smart that most discovered yet another use for fire. By heating air within a lightweight container, it became lighter than the surrounding air. Through the properties of physics, that container of hot air would rise into the sky. Not only did fire help save our human ancestors on the ground, but it also allowed yet others to take flight!

Today, many of our friends and neighbors still use this very same principle, with a few more modern twists, to fill a balloon full of hot air and rise into the sky for a nearly silent flight. Carried only by the wind and powered by heat, entire festivals across our nations celebrate what simple humans discovered more than a few years ago.

This image is a single moment in time showing the flight-giving fire preparing to launch this simple, silent aircraft into the heavens.

Photo Stuff: Single frame, Processed in LR, Topaz Clarity and Topaz Adjust 5

www.ChipBunnell.com
©2015 All Rights Reserved