THE Traveler: Sydney Bockelman of Winona, Minn.
The scene: A particularly vibrant pink starfish steals the show in a tidal pool, in Ballina, New South Wales, Australia.
The trip: Bockelman spent five months attending school in Australia. "I wanted to share this photo because it reminds me of one of my favorite days and I love the bright colors. The day I took the photo I just couldn't believe that I was experiencing real life, it felt like a dream come true to be in Australia and visiting the ocean to explore the land formations and biodiversity for class — something that would never happen in Minnesota! I also love the bright color of the starfish," she wrote in an e-mail. She encountered a wide variety of plants and animals living in each of the tidal pools on a rocky beach. "The waves crashed around us, there was the smell of saltwater in the air, the warmth of the Australian sunshine and a completely new learning experience to enjoy."
Getting the shot: Bockelman squatted close to the surface of the water to get this shot, knowing she wanted the starfish to be in focus while letting the other areas blur slightly. She used an iPhone 6 and tried from several different heights and angles to get the effect.
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