Nature Archives - Nicola Ann Art

May 11

Would you live in Cape Town?

After my recent trip to Cape Town someone asked me, Would you live in Cape Town? I answered immediately. Without a second’s hesitation, I said, “No!” Cape Town is unreservedly South Africa’s most beautiful city! Wholeheartedly, I agree. Cape Town is clean, visually pleasing; the government go out of their way to attract tourists; the people of Cape Town, the locals respect their government; the taxis are well behaved, road users stop at red traffic lights and are polite. Okay, perhaps the reason for such a well run province – the Western Cape – is because the ANC (African National Congress) does not dominate. The majority of the Western Cape are not black and so the DA (Democratic Alliance) are in power, which apparently says it all. However, when Cape Town experiences a cold front, it suddenly turns atrocious. The dreadful winters feel like they are as long lasting as the UK’s winters. And I would not know what to do with myself in a place that only offered cold oceans. Even a 20mm dry suit wouldn’t get me into such icy waters. And I don’t think I could survive without surfing, not again. Did you […]

Mar 08

by Nicola in Beach, Nature, Sunset, Umdloti beach 0 comments tags: BeanOn Photography, Blue Bottles, crabs, Indian Ocean, KwaZulu-Natal, nature, South Africa, Sunset, Umdloti, Umdloti beach, Umdloti South Beach

Umdloti crabs

What a spectacular sighting: the Umdloti crabs doing their thing at twilight; every time I’ve enjoyed a run or walk along south beach, a third of the way towards Umhlanga, they’d caught my attention. I’ve never seen these types of crabs along the north beach, and I wonder why… Last evening, with the perfect weather, I couldn’t resist taking along my camera and doing my best to capture them running in to the water, burying themselves as deep as possible in the sand when the flow of the water hits them (be prepared to get drenched in the process), and some are still in the exact same place as the water ebbs, while others tumble into the next flow of the wave. A few of them had Portuguese man o wars (aka blue bottles) wrapped around their claws and appeared to be munching on them. It proved a challenge, hence the not so sharp photos, trying to capture the little critters as they kept dancing around as if on a stage, performing for each other. The setting sun turned the sky over the ocean pink and orange and made for stunning moments worth holding on to… […]

Feb 10

Umdloti sunset and moonrise

While briskly walking along beach late afternoon, the cloud formations shouted out, get in to the sugar cane fields, up that hill and capture what’s about to be a stunning Umdloti sunset and moonrise. With my camera equipment already in my car, we tackled the tracks amidst the fields; changing to low range 4×4, we ploughed through the soft red earth and climbed to reach the peak, the ideal viewpoint. Seized by a dramatic vista – composed of Boeings flying alongside the setting sun, heading towards King Shaka Airport, Sibaya Casino to the left and the moon rising over the Indian Ocean. A basket filled with picnic food was the only thing missing…

Jan 21

by Nicola in Beach, Nature, Wildlife 0 comments tags: BeanOn Photography, Exploring, Indian Ocean, KwaZulu-Natal, Lagoon Drive, South Africa, uMhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve, uMhlanga Rocks, Wildlife

uMhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve

Between the M4 freeway and the Indian Ocean, on the south bank of the Ohlanga River overfilling with reed beds (hence the reason the Zulus named it uMhlanga Rocks – ‘Place of Reeds and Rocks’), one will find the uMhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve with its entrance gate (free of charge) just past the Breakers hotel at the end of Lagoon Drive. There is a secret parking area, end of the cal-de-sac, at the entrance to the reserve. Explore a well-marked heritage trail through ancient coastal forest, along boardwalks over the river, that’s home to vervets, small buck and birds. There are benches discreetly scattered amongst picnic spots. The lush vegetation framing the blues of the ocean and golden sand is definitely worth capturing.

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…

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!

Feb 03

Only in Africa

The ultimate beach-and-bush experience en route to Cape Vidal via the iSimangaliso Wetland Park World Heritage Site, Greater St Lucia. Stunning vistas of grasslands; greetings by zebra and kudu along the side of the road en route to the beach, where a beautiful, unspoilt bay awaits, beckons to be explored beneath its electric blue surface and then a grand farewell by two rhinos still with their horns attached, followed by a munching warthog. Honestly, what more could a visitor wish for? Once again, only in Africa!

Jul 20

by Nicola in Beach, Nature 0 comments tags: BeanOn Photography, Exploring, Indian Ocean, KwaZulu-Natal, nature, Scottburgh, South Africa, South Coast, Wild Beach

Wild winds

After a leisurely breakfast at Scottburgh, we strolled along the beach where the wild winds brought in vicious waves that had reached up to 9 meters only moments earlier. About 4 brave surfers did their best just trying to stay alive out there… Allow yourself to be touched by nature; the power of nature will teach you more than any book you could ever read.