Blog – My Curious Camera

The impressive entrance to Hisor Fortress. The famous twin towers and baked-brick gateway are the site's most recognisable feature and incorporate some of the oldest surviving elements of the fortress.

29 Jun

Historical Hisor Fortress of Tajikistan

Nina Beilby

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Central Asia, Destinations, Tajikistan, Travel

Just 30 kilometres west of Dushanbe sits Hisor Fortress, one of Tajikistan's most important historic sites. For more than 2,000 years this strategic hilltop stronghold has been destroyed, rebuilt, occupied and restored by successive empires. While much of what stands today is a sympathetic reconstruction, enough remains to transport you...

Tajikistan Parliament Building located on Rudaki Avenue in Dushanbe

28 Jun

Why Tajikistan Was Nothing Like I Expected!

Nina Beilby

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Central Asia, Destinations, Dushanbe, Tajikistan, Travel

I'd spent five months learning Russian, expecting a Russian-speaking population and a country still finding its feet after the collapse of the Soviet Union. I even packed crisp US dollars. My research was decades out of date. Find out why...

10 Mar

My Favourite Travel Hack: The Wise Card

Nina Beilby

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Travel, Travel Tips

I travel quite a bit, and over the years I’ve tried just about every way of managing money overseas — cash, bank cards, travel cards, and a few expensive mistakes along the way. These days I keep it simple and use the Wise card. What I like most is how straightforward...

Victoria and Albert Museum Garden and Fountain

04 Sep

Why the Victoria and Albert Museum is One of My Favourite London Attractions

Nina Beilby

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Linkinbio, London, Travel

Rotunda Chandelier by Dale Chihuly in the foyer of the V&A Museum Art Explosion Rotunda Chandelier by Dale Chihuly When you step inside the Victoria and Albert Museum, you are arrested by an explosion of art and assured that you will be in for a treat on a grand scale....

28 Aug

London for Free: My Top Experiences

Nina Beilby

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England, Great Britain, Linkinbio, London

People often lament that London is expensive. I suppose that depends on how you prefer to spend your time. If you love immersing yourself in fine art, wandering through history or quietly watching sunset from an idyllic location, then this list will work for you. London offers an extraordinary range...

Burchells Starling on a branch with blue sky in the background

27 Mar

Shimmering Songsters: The Starlings of Africa

Nina Beilby

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African Birds, linkinbio wildlife, Wildlife

Ubiquitous around Kruger National Park, it would be easy to dismiss this shimmering songster until you realise that not all Starlings are the same. I wish I’d paid more attention. Yes, this means another excuse to return to Southern Africa. Meanwhile, here are the ones I did find. Burchell’s Starling...

Pel's Fishing Owl sitting high in riparian foliage looking straight at the camera

05 Mar

A Rare Encounter: Photographing the Pel’s Fishing Owl in Africa

Nina Beilby

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African Birds, Kruger National Park, linkinbio wildlife

One of the most surreal experiences of my 30-day African adventure was searching for and photographing the elusive Pel’s Fishing Owl. This rare bird is a prized sighting for birders and wildlife photographers alike, and I was lucky enough to find it in Kruger National Park. The Search Begins Our...

Juvenile Marial Eagle taking off from a branch

19 Jan

Majestic Predator of Kruger: The Powerful Martial Eagle

Nina Beilby

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African Birds, Kruger National Park, linkinbio wildlife

The Martial Eagle is Kruger National Park’s largest and most powerful raptor. It is known for its striking appearance, incredible wingspan and exceptional hunting skills. Whilst we saw many raptors in our 28 days in Kruger, it was this juvenile Martial Eagle sighting that excited us most. Sadly they are...

A Yellow-billed Kite soaring through the sky

18 Jan

Soaring Through Kruger: The Magnificent Yellow-billed Kite

Nina Beilby

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African Birds, Kruger National Park, linkinbio wildlife

The Yellow-billed Kite is one of Africa’s most widespread and captivating raptors. Known for its seasonal migration, it travels vast distances across the continent to arrive in Kruger around summertime. I was there from November through December and found this particular pair on Olifants Bridge, where you can get out...

04 Jan

Best Photography Gear for an Epic Safari Adventure in Africa

Nina Beilby

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Africa, Kruger National Park, linkinbio wildlife, Photography, Travel, Travel Tips

The Gear Dilemma My adventure – 28 days in Kruger National Park on a self drive tour where we were not permitted to exit the car. As this was my first African adventure, the biggest question was: which photo gear to bring? How close will I be to the wildlife?...

17 Dec

Is The Kudu Africa’s Most Magnificent Creature?

Nina Beilby

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Africa, African Wildlife, Kruger National Park, linkinbio wildlife, Wildlife

With its spiralled horns reaching up to 1.8m (6 feet) and its regal stance, the Greater Kudu is often regarded as Africa’s most magnificent creature. In recognition of its stature, the Kudu is revered by many and even adorns the official emblem and logos of SANParks, South Africa’s National Parks organisation....

13 Dec

Meet Africa’s Ugly Bird – The Marabou Stork

Nina Beilby

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Africa, African Birds, African Wildlife, Kruger National Park, linkinbio wildlife

You have probably heard of Africa’s Big Five, but new to me is that there is also Africa’s “Ugly Five,” and the Marabou Stork is on this list. This status is largely due to the large orange/red bulbous air sac that adorns its neck in addition to its quite rough-looking...

Nina - Traveller, Artist, Writer and Professional Photographer

Hi everyone. Nina here. I'm known for many things. My photography, writing, love of wildlife and art but what people tell me they admire most is my love of life. I bounce out of bed at a hint of light, and often before. Every day is an adventure and I hope you are inspired to have many adventures of your own.

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