Chasing Light in My Own Backyard
- Lynne Krizik
- Jul 21
- 2 min read
A place can mean many things to a person, and each one has a story to tell, its own unique history. In much the same way that people do throughout their lives, a place will undertake many changes, journeys and phases. And, much like people, there are things left behind as they grow, and some things that remain unchanged in spite of the wear and tear of hundreds of years. The little-known oasis of history and community known as Ormond Beach remembers its long story.
The Halifax River holds onto the last rays of light longer than you'd expect - long enough that I stopped watching the sky and started watching the water instead.
This past week, the Saharan dust cloud reached our shores in Florida after traveling 5,000 miles via the SAL (Saharan Air Layer.) The lure of beautiful sunsets drew us out to the Intracoastal Waterway as a looming thunderstorm made its way out to sea.
When we heard that a 77-foot commercial shrimping boat ran aground in Ormond Beach, we knew we'd be getting up early the next day with strong coffee, a camera, tripod and cable.
The fading colors of sunset bled into the waterway, creating a peaceful and inviting silhouette from the lawn of the Casements.
At f/11, every lamppost along the bridge quietly transforms. Each one threw a sprightly starburst into the frame, as if aware they were on the photographer's stage. This image is facing east and gives a beautiful outline of the City of Ormond Beach. The view on the waterway never gets old.
The local Ormond pier possesses its own chill vibe as fishermen and sightseers bask in the soft evening glow. It is a city that sits comfortably between its noisier, more crowded brethren, and yet a good romp into the state's hotspots are always within reach.
Like a wizened sage looking back on the many sad, blissful and adventurous chapters of his life, the City of Ormond had been many things before it was Christened its current title. The story is much like others, fraught with hope, uncertainty, bravery, fear and perseverance. Slowly and steadily, it carried its many inhabitants from one generation to the next, bearing witness to changes unimaginable with the patience of time itself.
But today, with a sunset that seems to imitate a contented sigh, it enjoys the peace with the progeny of its youth.
Wonderful pictures
Robin,
Thank you for taking time to write such a beautiful comment.
There's something very peaceful about fading light and water.
Wow!! That was so beautifully described!! I felt as though I was there at Ormond Beach!! A place I must visit!! You captured the beauty in your photography!! Beautiful!!