VIDEO JOURNAL
Adventure, from the comfort of home.
On YouTube the channel is called Monk's Reflections. Hiking and backpacking, nature and wildlife photography, tips and hacks from the trail. It's all free. Beginning January 2027, the channel carries one name with everything else here — Kansas Thru My Lens.
Beyond the Horizon
This is my theme song telling the story of how life’s journey brought me to
Kansas Thru My Lens
Background for this Song
I was reflecting on the journey that brought me here. The story took the shape of a ballad and, with the help of a friend, the ballad became a song.
Lyrics and images are mine. Music and voice are from a friend.
FROM DAN’S OWN CARDS
Field footage
Unnarrated clips straight from the camera and the drone — a heron holding still, a night turning over the trail, storm light on the chalk bluffs. Filmed in 4K, served here at full HD so it plays anywhere.
Blue Heron
A great blue heron, filmed still and close, for as long as it stayed.
Prairie Dog
A prairie dog going about its morning routine, watched from ground level.
Monument Rocks Stormlapse
Storm clouds building over the chalk pyramids of western Kansas.
Scissor Tail Flycatcher
A scissor tail flycatcher rests on a tree stump while constantly looking for a snack flying in the tall grass.
Sitting on the Trail
Dan in the camp chair in the timber. Most of the work looks like this.
Monument Rocks Daybreak
First light on the chalk bluffs for a few seconds.
Bison Walks Past My Camp
A lone bull bison walking slowly behind my camp. I sat still to not disturb him. He didn’t take any notice of me.
Tallgrass Prairie from Above
Unedited drone footage from Dan’s on card.