Tag Archives: Underwater

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

UNDERWATER :: A Young Gray Angel

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Chip Bunnell Photography Gray Angel FishWhere ever I go, I have some sort of a camera in my hand. There are many that make this same claim today, but there are far fewer that say that when they go in the water. How about when they go 70’ underwater…or more? Yep – that’s still me. Armed only with a full tank of air, a streamlined list of equipment on my body and camera rig that turns more than a head or two when I board, I visit another world with the goal of seeing what only a small percentage of our population ever experiences.

Standing on the back of a perfectly good boat and jumping into the wonders of the ocean below has been a favorite past time of mine for almost 25 years. Admittedly, when I first moved to Florida a few decades ago, I was not a fan of the state. It was not until I discovered the warm Caribbean waters that are less than a mile off the South Florida shores that I became mesmerized. Here, the world’s 3rd largest living reef thrives as the Gulf Stream brings a constant current of blue water and wonderful tropical fish to our very own backyard. While I enjoy the excitement and adventure of unique creatures in the watery wild, I still feel the need to bring back images to share with others. My camera rigs have evolved over the years, but my passion in this endeavor has never wavered.

A few days ago, my wife and I were able to enjoy a nice dive off of Pompano Beach on the reef “Razzle Dazzle”. The water was a bit green that day, but the visibility was good. Despite a bit of current, I was able to capture this Juvenile Gray Angel fish swimming around her coral home. The bold pattern and their naturally curious attitude makes this one of my favorite species. As she grows, she will retain much of her shape, but will trade in her striking black and yellow contrasting stripes for a more age-appropriate solid gray color. As an adult, she will, however, keep her flashy yellow color hidden on the inside of her pectoral fins as a reminder of her more youthful days on the reef.

Single Frame, Processed in LR and PS

www.ChipBunnell.com