That does not look good!

i don't mind it at all, and it will acidify the soil too.

Sorry but that is a myth that pine straw (pine needles) will acidify the soil. Fresh needles are somewhat acidic but dry needles - the straw - are more or less neutral AFA pH is concerned. And it would take several dump truck loads of fresh needles to have any significant effect on the soil.

I like pine straw because it stays put and does not move around or even float off in a heavy rain. I like a layer of chopped composted leaves topped with pine straw.

"Sorry but that is a myth that pine straw (pine needles) will acidify the soil." that's an interesting fact! mulch does float away anytime there is any heavy rain, which is a downside.

It looks like you're mulching with bark chips. I've read that bark chips should be used around trees and shrubs and compost should be used around perennials and annuals. Compost doesn't float away and it feeds the soil. I spread two yards of it every spring.

" I've read that bark chips should be used around trees and shrubs and compost should be used around perennials and annuals."

And why does the soil around trees and shrubs not need improving?

I use compost everywhere to improve soil tilth and keep things healthy. I also use mulch everywhere over top of it.

Why do you mulch over compost? Compost is a mulch. I use it around my trees and shrubs too. Maybe bark chips are used in areas with only trees and shrubs because they break down slower, therefore it doesn't need yearly replacement like compost. Commercial properties, parks and the like will use bark chips.

Wood based mulches can cause some nitrogen tie up at the soil surface as they break down. This is not an issue with deeper rooted woody plants (trees and shrubs) but can cause issues with more shallowly rooted perennials and with any annuals. For that reason, many prefer to mulch with a finer textured and richer compost material for these sorts of plants. And at least IMO, the compost texture looks better with the smaller plants than does a more chunky bark or wood chip mulch. But any organic mulch will eventually breakdown and contribute to soil improvement, so it's not like you are ignoring the soil around trees and shrubs :-))