logologo
Nicola Ann Art
  • Home
  • About
  • Commercial Photography
    • Architectural
    • Dental
    • Commissioned
  • Art
    • Abstract Art
    • Original Art Prints
    • Fine Art Photography
  • Photo-Journal
  • Contact
Jul 28
by Nicola in 4x4, Adventure, Nature, Off-Road 2 comments tags: 4x4, Adventure, BeanOn Photography, Exploring, Jimny, Off-road, Rugged Terrain, Suzuki

#ResistanceIsFutile

Another warmest thank-you to both Suzuki Pinetown (“the best dealership in town”) and Travis from Shift Group for a spectacular 4×4 adventure at Nkonka Lodge this past Sunday, 27 July, 2014.   10x Jimnys, 3x Grand Vitaras, 1x Sx4 and the 1 x unmentionable – at least the chaps at Suzuki see it as a challenge to convert the so called “traitor” – all met at the Pinetown dealership for coffee and muffins first thing, and in convoy made our way to the farm. Almost every 10 minutes, just after taking the Richmond turnoff, I longed to stop and capture the beauty in panoramic form; however, I also couldn’t wait to venture off road and explore the unknown. How many time do I need mention: #ResistanceIsFutile?   After about an hour’s drive, 20 minutes on gravel, beneath the perfect blue African sky, the sun heating up by the minute, we reached the extensive land surrounding Nkonka Lodge. Land that could not deliver more stunning vistas set in the virgin terrain of the Umkomaas Valley in KwaZulu-Natal, just outside Richmond, en route to Pietermaritzburg.   After a pit-stop to quench thirsts and absorb the stunning beauty near the river, we set off deeper in to the bushveld […]
Read More
Jul 18
by Nicola in Beach, Sunrise, Umdloti beach 1 comments tags: BeanOn Photography, Early morning, Indian Ocean, KwaZulu-Natal, Sunrise, Umdloti beach

Early bird catches…

…a stunning sunrise at Umdloti.   What a treat to enjoy breakfast with such a sight before the eyes. Only the early bird…
Read More
Jul 13
by Nicola in Beach, Nature, Sunrise, Umdloti beach 0 comments tags: BeanOn Photography, KwaZulu-Natal, Salt Rock, Sharka's Rock, Sharkaskraal, Sheffield Beach, Sunrise, Umdloti

Umdloti and beyond

The Dolphin Coast explored, partly.   Up at 6:30am and out immediately – an essential spur of the moment. With camera and banana in hand, I start photographing the red sun rising at Umdloti, from above and then down from the beach.   Shaka’s Rock came next, I gasp the moment I spot the beach fringed by rocky cliffs. At 8:50am I first step on to the sand, the wintery sun warming my bones.   The turquoise blue waves roll, form barrels, clear and inviting before crashing upon the black rocks.   Luminous green seaweed wave in all directions when saturated by pristine white foam; red and purple stained rocks glint beneath the gilding sun.   I pass through Salt Rock and end up exploring Sheffield Beach, another first. Almost as stunning as Shaka’s Rock but with fewer people – three families scattered in different directions play in the rock pools, a man lying under a towel reading a book.   A mansion overlooking the golden beach sand, more golden in the sun’s glow, with the perfect view of the Indian Ocean, soon to be transformed into a palace the way the dozen builders are hard at work.   I […]
Read More
Jul 12
by Nicola in Nature, Off-Road, Sugarcane, Sunset, Uncategorized 0 comments tags: BeanOn Photography, Indian Ocean, Jimny, KwaZulu-Natal, Off-road, Sugarcane fields, Sunset, Suzuki Jimny

Panoramic Umdloti

A stunning way to end the working week with an off-road spin through the sugarcane fields to the top, to the panoramic top.   Top of Umdloti; 360 degrees of beauty – beauty truly is in the heart of the beholder. Is not beauty magnanimous for those who desire it?   When nature calls, I must go; allow the beauty of nature to transform…  
Read More
Jul 02
by Nicola in 4x4, Adventure, Off-Road 0 comments tags: 4x4, Adventure, BeanOn Photography, Challenge, Early morning, Father's Day, Jimny, KwaZulu-Natal, Off-road, Rugged Terrain, Suzuki Jimny, Toyota Fortuner

Jimny VS Fortuner Challenge

Right back in the saddle – or in my case, off-road, grinning, behind the wheel of my new Jimny – I thought the best thing to do is a challenge.   I put my Jimny up against my dad’s Fortuner (3.0 D-4D 4×4) at Killarney 4×4 track this past Father’s Day.   Well, let me just say that my camera captured the scenery as expertly as ever.   The End.   Okay! Confession time.   Pops’ Fortuner beat my Jimny. Impossible, I know. Dumbfounding, absolutely. That’s it – do points really matter? No, a win is a win, as the die-hard Sharks’ rugby fans always mutter.   No, it has nothing to do with the driver. I tried every line possible and the wheels in the air caused the wheels in the dirt to churn out the sand – evil dust devils from every direction.   Eventually, with my head hanging slightly lower than before, I congratulated Pops!   After days of going through the motions and wondering what I could have done differently, we decided that due to not deflating my tyres caused my distress.   Challenge back ON! Watch this space – it will be taking place towards […]
Read More
Recent Posts
  • Sailing Today: Peace in Greece
  • greek odyssey: LEFKAS, GREECE
  • Electric Mountain Biking is a New Addiction
  • Late bluebell bloomers in hampstead heath
  • To The Sea… Broadstairs, Kent
Recent Comments
  • Percival on PART 2: SICILY TO THE GREEK ISLANDS|BELLA ROSE, OYSTER 545, UP FOR SAIL | SUMMER 2019
  • Alexander on PART 3: The Greek Islands to Albania | BELLA ROSE, OYSTER 545, UP FOR SAIL | SUMMER of 2019
  • Nicola on PART 2: SICILY TO THE GREEK ISLANDS|BELLA ROSE, OYSTER 545, UP FOR SAIL | SUMMER 2019
  • Nicola on PART 3: The Greek Islands to Albania | BELLA ROSE, OYSTER 545, UP FOR SAIL | SUMMER of 2019
  • Alexander on PART 3: The Greek Islands to Albania | BELLA ROSE, OYSTER 545, UP FOR SAIL | SUMMER of 2019
Archives
  • March 2022
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • October 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
Categories
  • 4×4
  • Adventure
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Back2Blighty
  • Beach
  • Black & White
  • Cities
  • Custom furniture
  • Cycling
  • Dubai
  • Durban
  • Exhibition
  • Fashion
  • Hiking
  • KwaZulu-Natal
  • Lifestyle Portrait
  • London
  • Nature
  • Not-for-profit
  • Off-Road
  • on the Rock camera club
  • on the Rocks camera club
  • People
  • Photo shoot
  • Promotions
  • Rugby
  • Safari
  • Sailing
  • South Africa
  • Street Photography
  • Sugarcane
  • Sunrise
  • Sunset
  • Swimming
  • The United Kingdom
  • Travel
  • Umdloti beach
  • Uncategorized
  • Wildlife
Archives
  • March 2022
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • October 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
Recent Posts
  • Sailing Today: Peace in Greece
  • greek odyssey: LEFKAS, GREECE
  • Electric Mountain Biking is a New Addiction
  • Late bluebell bloomers in hampstead heath
  • To The Sea… Broadstairs, Kent
Copyright © 2013 - 2021 Nicola Ann Art. All Rights Reserved.