Tag Archives: Seascape

SEASCAPE :: Sunset, Ocean and 19 Friends

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Chip Bunnell Photography Travel Images from Boston Palm Beach FloridaWhat do you do when Beantown has a heat index of 101 on a July afternoon?  Find the nearest boat, meet roughly 280 people and head 26 miles off shore for a 3 hour tour.  Yes, there was a skipper, several that looked like they wanted to be Ginger and I had my own Mary Ann, but no, this was not part of a remake of a famous TV show from my youth.  It was a quest for adventure on the ocean with some of the largest inhabitants of our blue world…and a magnificent show of color for a closing treat.

One of my enjoyments in Boston during the summer is taking a whale watching tour.  This is one of only a few places you can be so close to these incredible creatures and witness some of their natural behaviors on their terms. There are no trainers or tricks, just observing them surfacing to catch a breath and then, with a high waving tale, descending to great depths. Sometimes they are seen in the distance and other times they come close…quite close…giving us wonderful view.  Inspired by the great novel from Herman Melville, I texted by bride, who was sitting right next to me mind you, the simple words “Calm me Ishmael.”  With a smile, she quickly replied with a witty quote from the same.  This continued for the duration of our trip.

After priceless encounter after encounter with a small group of humpback whales, it was time for our 120’ vessel to return to her home port in Boston Harbor.  The setting sun had not only cast a wonderful golden light on our aquatic friends, but now it was to treat us with a truly amazing show of rich colors for the closing act of the day.  While I knew I could never capture the full natural beauty we were enjoying, I wanted to capture the feeling of the moment through our eyes and the reaction of those around us.

To make this image, I used the perspective of the unique bow design of the boat to move your eye forward in the image towards the setting sun.  The soft cloud pattern added interest in the sky.  The near-white reflection in the water acts as a welcome map leading to the principle player in this play. I was careful to capture the gentle rim-light that outlined the 19 souls that frame the bottom edge of this image. It was truly the perfect end to a perfect adventure on a perfect day!

“I know not all that may be coming, but be it what it will, I’ll go to it laughing.”
― Herman Melville, Moby-Dick

Photo Tip: 3 Frame Hand-Held HDR, Processed in Photomatix Pro, LR and Topaz Clarity.

Travel Tip: Boston Harbor Cruises provides an excellent service for whale watching with frequent trips from Boston’s Long Wharf.

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