On the water, of the waters

Photos and essay by Angelique Herring

I moved to Florida from Baltimore to attend Eckerd College in 2015, but I’d been dreaming of living here since I was a kid. I fell in love with the weather and the water long before my feet hit the Florida sand on my 8th birthday. Growing up, I dreamt of being minutes away from the freedom that water has always represented to me, with the added pleasure of being able to get in that water and explore — a luxury I didn’t always experience at home on the Chesapeake Bay.

For me, the water has long been a place to escape. It represents adventure, exploration, and the glorious unknown. It also illustrates a sense of unity. We all — irrespective of our species, race or age — come to the water to relax our minds, refuel our bodies, and rejuvenate our spirits.

These photos are from Beer Can Island, also known as Greer Island, on Longboat Key. I fell in love with this hidden beach during my junior year on an excursion with Eckerd’s Outdoor Adventure Club. I still remember how awestruck I was by the vivid blueness of the water as we drove over the bridge from St. Pete. I was enchanted by the way, even on that cold December morning on the pier, the water was so welcoming.

After graduation, I remained in Florida to pursue a career in photojournalism and storytelling. My mom quickly moved down from Baltimore to stay with me and to be closer to our family in Panama. I’ve loved introducing her, and my friends who come to visit, to the water in this place I now proudly call home.