heigh-ho, the holly!
This life is most jolly.

I made images of the Vilano Beach Pier on a windy and one of the coldest mornings in Florida.

“Ice strangles oldest city,” the St Augustine Record proclaimed twenty-three years ago on December 24, 1989. The temperatures with windchill plummeted to below zero to -20 degrees in Fahrenheit. That day bridges in the area, except the Vilano bridge, closed. There were so many accidents on the ice-covered county roads and I-95 that FHP ran out of people to handle and count them. The night shift had already been called in by 3 PM on Saturday.  

The Morning of the 24th of 2022 came close. There was no ice on the roads, and all bridges remained open. Traffic did not stop. Bitter cold wind chill forced down the mercury to 13 degrees Fahrenheit. It reminded me of the famous song in “As you like It.” In that lay, Lord Amiens, who accompanied the Duke Senior into exile in Ardenne's forest, sang two songs. One of them contrasts the cold winter wind with the ungratefulness of humans. Experiencing the cold and windy morning was a pleasurable experience considering I knew it would not last long. It reminded me that we live in an area where we can experience four seasons, including a short winter, with a few freezing days. Such days make you even more grateful for the regular Florida days!

Residents covered the yard plants in varying materials to ward off the cold-induced death, turned the heat on, and stayed indoors. Tourists and residents alike deserted sites that customarily are bustling. Their decision resulted in eerie scenes. As the sun rose against the backdrop of clear sky, its welcome warmth caused temperatures to rise – barely.   Though cold, the intense azure of the heavens was as valuable to photographers as lapis lazuli. The sky color of that Morning seemed like what Milton had in mind when he wrote about “Heavens Azure.” Suffice it to say, I was there on the Vilano beach to greet the sun and witness it first impart a golden glow to the objects in its path, cast shadows, and later turn the sky intense azure. During the four hours that I spent in the Vilano Beach and Vilano Pier area, I came across only a handful of walkers, a dog owner, and one other photographer.

 Beautiful light and lack of people made these beautiful scenes appear distinct and peculiar. I could only have made these images this Morning. Using my camera, I bore witness to the tableau and painted with the light on the camera sensor that nature drew and redrew on the Morning of the 24th, 2022.   

Blow, blow, thou winter wind,
Thou art not so unkind
As man’s ingratitude;
Thy tooth is not so keen,
Because thou art not seen,
Although thy breath be rude.
Heigh-ho! sing, heigh-ho! unto the green holly:
Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly:
Then, heigh-ho, the holly!
This life is most jolly.

This is a popular fishing spot. On a typical day like this. but without cold weather, one can see several fishermen listening to music, sharing tall tales of their fishing prowess (possibly), or staring at the water, willing fish to catch bait. Conveniently located fish cleaning stations are located on both sides.

This is the end of the pier. you can see the Vilano Bridge to your right and St Augustine on your left from here.

Freeze, freeze, thou bitter sky,
That dost not bite so nigh
As benefits forgot:
Though thou the waters warp,
Thy sting is not so sharp
As friend remembered not.
Heigh-ho! sing, heigh-ho! unto the green holly:
Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly:
Then, heigh-ho, the holly!
This life is most jolly.

Shakespeare | Act 2 Scene 7 of As You Like It

THIS LIFE IS MOST JOLLY

Alhamdulillah!