BeanOn Photography Archives - Page 7 of 9

Sep 23

by Nicola in 4x4, Adventure, Nature, Off-Road 4 comments tags: 4x4, Adventure, BeanOn Photography, Challenge, Exploring, Highest Pub in Africa, Jimny, KwaZulu-Natal, Off-road, Rugged Terrain, Sani Pass, South Africa, Suzuki Jimny

Sani Pass adventure

A first I’d never driven a vehicle up Sani Pass – experienced it a few times as a passenger and even walked it a couple of years ago in just over 2.5 hours – and couldn’t wait to experience the thrill in my Jimny. Well, it turned in to more than a Sani Pass adventure anyone could have bargained for. Road trip With the day off from work on Friday, we departed mid-morning for Mkomazana Mountain Cottages where we spent two nights enjoying a log fire and freshly baked scones (best scones ever tasted) brought to us first thing on both mornings – the closest accommodation before San Pass, about 3kms on dirt road after the Sani Pass Hotel. Replenish At Himeville Arms we relished a late lunch and took pleasure in stretching our legs after almost a 2.5 hours drive. If only we’d driven 500m past Himeville Arms where we discovered a quaint café with outdoor seating – it appeared new and fresh and worth a visit, which we did the following day for lunch. Definitely worth it and even offered traditional home-style cooking such as bobotie. Rustic yet comfortable Upon dumping our […]

Sep 16

by Nicola in on the Rocks camera club, Photo shoot 0 comments tags: BeanOn Photography, flash photography, heated swimming pool, KwaZulu-Natal, on the Rocks camera club, photo shoot, Pinetown, surprise, swimmers

Surprise photo shoot on the Rocks (CC)

Finally I’d discovered a local camera club, attended a first monthly meeting at on the Rocks camera club the last Monday of August (last Monday of each month expect when there are surprise photo shoots or planned getaways, of course) and joined immediately. Friday evening on the Rocks camera club sent out a cryptic invite about a surprise photo shoot. Who’s keen? Me, of course! What’s happening? Wait and experience. No other club has done this before. Really! And the mind delightfully wondered… Sunday evening another message arrives: “Hi Rocks your slot is arrive 7.15pm for 7.30 – 8.15…” with an address in Pinetown. “…No tripod required. Dress very casual even wear shorts.” What an experience. A heated indoor swimming pool at someone’s house, three swimmers, flashes, triggers, all types of DSLRs and members eagerly waiting their turn. The results…

Sep 01

by Nicola in Custom furniture 0 comments tags: BeanOn Photography, Cato Ridge, coffee, custom furniture, farm, Tall Trees

Tall Trees

If you need stunning, exceptional quality furniture, both handmade in South Africa or imported then visit Claudia and Ian’s Tall Trees’ open day.

Aug 24

by Nicola in Beach, Cycling 0 comments tags: BeanOn Photography, Bike&Bean, coffee, cycling, Durban beach front, Indian Ocean, sea

Bike & Bean at Durban’s beachfront

About this time 3 years ago I last cycled along the beachfront with a friend who lent me his brother’s bike. This time I decided to do it on my own and hire a bicycle from Bike & Bean, this took place yesterday when the weather couldn’t be better; sun and stillness unlike today’s gusty wind.

Aug 05

by Nicola in 4x4, Off-Road, Sugarcane, Sunset, Umdloti beach 0 comments tags: 4x4, BeanOn Photography, Indian Ocean, Off-road, Sugarcane fields, Suzuki Jimny, Umdloti beach

Chasing the sunset

I started through the sugar cane fields and then ended up on the beach, desiring to capture the red ball sink down behind the Mdloti River and I just missed it; too much delirious joy while ‘skiing’ through sand.

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 […]

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…

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 […]

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…

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 […]

May 30

by Nicola in Nature, Wildlife 0 comments tags: African bush, BeanOn Photography, Big 5, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern KZN, Off-road, Wildlife, Zululand

Africa’s Prize

…to be kept secret. Recently I read an article, a plea, to not reveal the name of game reserves that still have rhinos. “Please be careful when sharing photos on social media. They can lead poachers to our rhino. Turn off geotag function and do not disclose where the photo was taken.” This reserve, in the heart of Zululand, visited at the beginning of the month, is still fortunate enough to have many and all with their horns attached. A couple of weeks go another private game reserve was a target; the target hit. Before the second game drive ended we spotted the Big 5 – Africa’s prize; the elusive one only just visible, resting in the tall, dry grass less than 10 meters from the topless vehicle. I’ve experimented with black and white and feel they work, better than expected – I couldn’t have asked for better lighting especially for the landscapes.

Apr 28

by Nicola in 4x4, Adventure, Nature, Off-Road, Wildlife 0 comments tags: 4x4, BeanOn Photography, Gwahumbe Game Reserve, hippo pool, lookout, Off-road, panoramas, rough-terrain, vistas, Wildlife

Gwahumbe Game Reserve

Less than an hour’s drive from Pinetown and you’ll find yourself amidst spectacular surroundings in KwaZulu-Natal. Every turn, every bump on the 4×4 track at Gwahumbe Game Reserve is presented with a breath-taking vista; 2×4 wheel drive vehicles would also thrive, however, there is the option of being driven around by a ranger on a partly covered all-terrain vehicle/s belonging to the reserve. After exploring – the cave, river crossings, views of the pea-green hippo pool from Thirsty’s Deck, water falling into a weir and an almost head-on collision with a male rhino standing guard to a herd of wildebeest and zebra – we could not resist dining at the main lodge’s restaurant overlooking gardens brimming with indigenous vegetation where we were showered with uncompromising hospitality and sensational and hearty food. At the end, when paying our way at reception we almost insisted that they’d made a mistake when they’d taken off the entrance to the reserve from the total due to us enjoying a meal at the lodge. A 4-star lodge that should boast 5-star for the scenery alone. One of the activities includes mountain biking; imagine coming face to face with a rhino – oh the adrenaline. Guess […]

Apr 13

by Nicola in 4x4, Adventure, Nature, Off-Road, Wildlife 0 comments tags: 4x4, Adventure, BeanOn Photography, Early morning, Exploring, KwaZulu-Natal, Off-road, Rugged Terrain, Tala Private Game Reserve, Wildlife

Tala Private Game Reserve

Tala Private Game Reserve, a stunning wildlife sanctuary, amidst green sugarcane fields, is only a 30 minute drive from the Mariannhill Toll Plaza, Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal. Stuart Hicove purchased the cattle ranch in 1988 and then turned it into a game ranch that stretches 3200ha and is home to white rhino, giraffe, blue wildebeest, kudu, eland, nyala, sable, waterbuck, reedbuck, common duiker, warthog and a large variety of bird species. The serenity, quietness – wildlife sounds – is an instant dose of calmness; a temporary reprieve from everyday turbulence. Day visitors are welcome, and a nominal entrance fee is payable at the gate. Office hours: 7:00am to 5:00pm Gate times: 7:00am to 7:00pm (Summer) 7:00am to 5:00pm (Winter) Guides are available for game drives and bush walks. There are picnic sites overlooking the rock pool and a restaurant at the main lodge.

Apr 10

4×4 training – let’s get stuck!

Thank you to both Suzuki Pinetown and Travis Duggan from Shift Group for the well organised 4×4 training, or rather adventure, that took place at the Killarney track in Shongweni, a week after I purchased my first ever 4×4 vehicle. Impeccable timing! Never-ending thrills beneath a sky as blue as the Indian Ocean streaked with wisps of cloud, a sun throbbing hotter by the hour and a breath or two of air in a valley surrounded by red earth and green lush shrubbery! What more could anyone want? A bevy of Jimnys and Grand Vitaras were all eager to get their tyres caked in thick dirt and washed off at the river crossing both at the start and end of the semi-challenging route. Did you say a river crossing? Driving my spanking new car through water with rocks and slime and… “Cars do not like water,” Travis informed the group, all glaring at him with expressions like a kinetic strap pulled tight. Was that supposed to make me feel better? “But the Jimnys can safely absorb water up to the Suzuki badge.” As the river appeared that it would only reach mid-rim I started breathing again and felt […]

Mar 31

by Nicola in Nature, Sunset, Umdloti beach 0 comments tags: Adventure, beach, BeanOn Photography, electric storm, Indian Ocean, running, sea, storm, Sunset, Umdloti beach, wild sky

Wild Sky at Umdloti Beach

As I start running along the beach after work, late afternoon, the sky suddenly darkened, turned wild, a wild sky, south of Umdloti while north had the light radiating from above. A few strides later a thunderstorm rumbles and crackles, enveloping my senses. Never had I seen the sky so angry and stunning at the same time; the waves in rhythm to the storm’s roar. I stood below it, taking in every colour, flash, sound and smell – feeling the heat, steaming humidity and rain drops sizzle against my skin – until my brain kicked in and moved aside the adrenaline. What on Earth are you doing, nutter? Get back to shelter, get your phone and capture the moment – before being stuck by a lightning fork – as best as you can using a not so great camera-phone. Why did I leave my DSLR at home today? Why… Any photos are better than nothing, right…? To be amazed by nature; to allow nature to amaze; its power; its wildness – a wild power that commands respect!