Summer – Photos & News

Hi folks, how’s everyone’s summer been going?

I don’t want to say, “Change is in the air” quite yet. Even though we have broken out (at least for now) of a long hot spell. I don’t think I have said this before, but I’m not too fond of hot weather. I can tolerate summer to an extent, but my extent is shorter than most I am guessing.

Time to get caught up on summer photos. Lots have been taken. There have been a large number of photos taken from nearby hiking trails. Most of which will be gone through shortly. I would think a good handful will make it into some of the galleries here as well as offered as prints.

I have also been going through my photo catalog, which for most photographers is a non-ending process. I make it a regular part of my work, to re-visit images and reprocess them if techniques and my vision of them have changed.  This results in new master files being produced. So you will always notice a mix of new and previous favorites being added.

What’s been going on?

For some time now, I have had a consistent morning routine. My morning routine, which I believe I have touched on, centers around morning walks with Stormy. He is the best hiking partner a human could ever ask for.

This morning routine has replaced the time I would typically spend in more photography oriented activities. But I am not complaining. Not only is it my responsibility to provide my young four legged boy the best life possible, it has been very beneficial to me as well. Both physically, and mentally.

I look forward to many years of enjoying his company as we journey into distant lands—more on that in upcoming posts.

What’s going to be going on?

There is change coming. Change that will, for the most part, take me (and Stormy) into a full-time life of travel, photography, and the joys of living with creative intention. Dedication will be coming back to this blog in a big way. (hint, I will retire before year’s end (2024)). Oh, the plans I have.

I will be getting into much more detail on what the future is shaping up to be once I hang up the work boots and put on much more comfortable attire. Along with a big-ticket item that is being custom-built, Stormy and I have some mighty big plans in store.

Now, we need to have some patience to keep plugging away, keeping our morning walks enjoyable, along with the approaching cool mornings and changing colors as our companions.

An early-morning walk is a blessing for the whole day.

To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts.

-Henry David Thoreau

a field of flowers with green grass
a green rolling hills with sun shining through
a large grassy field with cows in it
Greening flint hills in springtime with blooming wildflowers.
springtime green hills with trees.
a sunset over a field with windmill
a stream running through a grassy area

Black Eyed Susan

a group of yellow flowers in a field of grass
cattle grazing on summer ranch. Tallgrass Prairie.
a green grass with leaves
Every morning was a cheerful invitation to make my life of equal simplicity, and I may say innocence, with Nature herself.
Henry David Thoreau
a field of yellow flowers blooming in Kansas

Photography is no less of an art than writing or painting is.

Tools are different but the processes are the same.

For art to be art, it must have something of the artist in it.

country road through the prairie.
Wildflowers blooming in the tallgrass prairie. Nature photography by Brad Mangas
a herd of cattle in a field USA on hillside
Blooming Broomweed in the tallgrass prairie. Photo by Brad Mangas

The act of capturing emotion can become a form of self-expression, allowing us to convey sentiments that words fail to articulate.

Thank you for the visit and taking some time to hang out with me. As I build momentum for exciting things to come, I would like to mention signing up to my email list.

For the past few years, emails have been very few, only a couple per year. As time starts to be rededicated to my photography and exploring North America through photos and stories, regular email updates will be the best way for me to keep you up to date. And for you to know when there are updates. I hope I can make it a win-win for everyone. I appreciate your consideration.

Summer is still hanging on, so let’s make the best of it!

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