Image 1/25

@ pixabay 1083643
Squeaks begins his journey through Kansas & Oklahoma!

Image 2/25

@ Kansas Crop Duster

Yellow Daisy Egg
My pets are in awe of these beautiful eggs—they would love to try to paint their own one year. Easter and spring are times of joy as the earth awakens, plants are pushing forth from the soil, and the days are becoming warmer. Many baby animals are born in the spring, and life is burgeoning. May these eggs bring you joy and be a reminder of the earth renewing itself.

Kansas Crop Duster
Hundreds of acres of Kansas wheat crops are easily dusted with this Boeing Stearman biplane. Wave to the pilot and he will dip his wings to say hello back to you.

Image 3/25

@ pixabay 1651379
Nine-banded armadillos, black-tailed jackrabbits, plains pocket gophers, and least shrews are common in Kansas.

Image 4/25

@ pixabay 1730073
Famous Kansans include pilot Amelia Earhart, environmental activist Erin Brockovich, saxophonist Charlie Parker, and actress Vivian Vance, who played Ethel on the classic comedy I Love Lucy.

Image 5/25

@ pixabay 1802082
Oklahoma lies in "Tornado Alley", a part of the US with a disproportionately high frequency of tornadoes.

Image 6/25

@ pixabay 2139864
Reptiles in Kansas include prairie king snakes, western worm snakes, prairie lizards, and Great Plains skinks.

Image 7/25

@ pixabay 231605
Birdwatchers in Oklahoma can look for greater roadrunners, red-headed woodpeckers and scissortail flycatchers.

Image 8/25

@ Mustangs, Kansas
In 1889 settlers were allowed to race into parts of Oklahoma and claim land for themselves. But some managed to get to these spots before the territory was officially open to them. They were called “sooners,” which eventually became the state’s nickname: the Sooner State.
Mustangs, Kansas
Wild horses could not take me away, though they may blow me away as they gallop past. Thousands of wild mustangs roam the plains in Kansas, though they are not truly classified as wild, the only true wild horse in the world is the Przewalski's horse, which is found in Mongolia.

Image 9/25

@ Tree Swallow in Kansas
1. The bread twist tie was invented in Maysville. (Blest be the tie that binds!) 2. The shopping cart was invented in Ardmore in 1936. 3. The nation's first parking meter was installed in Oklahoma City in 1935. 4. The first Girl Scout Cookie was sold in Muskogee in 1917.
WKY Radio in Oklahoma City was the first radio station transmitting west of the Mississippi River. Oklahoma has the largest Native American population of any state in the US. Oklahoma has produced more astronauts than any other state. 13. Oklahoma has more man-made lakes than any other state (including Caddo County's Fort Cobb Lake). 14. During the "Land Rush," Oklahoma City and Guthrie went from vast, open prairie to cities of over 10,000 in a single day. The aerosol can was invented in Bartlesville. The highest wind speed ever recorded on earth was in Moore Okla., on May 3, 1999 during the Oklahoma City F-5 tornado. Wind speed was clocked at 318 mph.
Tree Swallow in Kansas
Tree swallows can be found in every state in the United States. Nearly the entire state of Kansas lies in the migratory path of tree swallows. They begin migrating in July and August, flying during the day and roosting in large flocks at night.

Image 10/25

@ Heart Shaped Hole,Kansas
The name 'Oklahoma' comes from two Choctaw words – okla meaning "people" and humma meaning "red". So the name means "Red People". The name was approved in 1890.
Heart Shaped Hole,Kansas
At some point, when this was a living tree a branch was either cut off or snapped off naturally. Over time the tree died and all that is left is this part of the trunk with an interesting hole.

Image 11/25

@ Arkansas River, Wichita, Kansas
The Flint Hills is an area of Kansas with gently rolling hills covered in the largest continuous area of tallgrass prairie left in the world.
Arkansas River, Wichita, Kansas
This section of the Arkansas River in Wichita, Kansas is the favorite dining spot for a gaggle of Canada geese. And why wouldn't it be? The food is delivered directly into their beaks!

Image 12/25

@ Sunflower, Kansas' State Flower
"Nickname of Kansas, Squeaks?" asked Paws.
"That's easy -- it's nicknamed after its state flower -- the Sunflower State!"
Sunflower, Kansas' State Flower
There are more than 70 different varieties of sunflowers, so no matter which variety of sunflowers you choose to plant, you will be growing the state flower of Kansas.

Image 13/25

@ Oklahoma Huckleberries
Reptiles in Kansas include prairie king snakes, western worm snakes, prairie lizards, and Great Plains skinks.
Oklahoma Huckleberries
Looking like little clusters of wild blueberries, huckleberries taste a little like them, but bring their own party to your mouth!

Image 14/25

@ Oklahoma Horse Barn
Step into frontier life at Old Cowtown Museum, a "town" of about 40 historic buildings furnished to look like as they did in the 1860s and 1870s! A general store, a jail, and a schoolhouse can all be explored.
Oklahoma Horse Barn
Come closer and don't forget to share that apple when you get here. I love nose skritches and to be brushed. You brought a brush, right?

Image 15/25

@ Oklahoma Marmot
Oh look ... you won a Frontier pet!
Oklahoma Marmot
Fuzzy little chonks, these ground rodents are cuter than the button that claims all the fame. Chirping to warn of danger to the pack, you'll want to take one home, but don't. Just snap the awwweee photos and move on!

Image 16/25

@ Oklahoma Buffalo Reflection
Birdwatchers in Oklahoma can look for greater roadrunners, red-headed woodpeckers and scissortail flycatchers.
Oklahoma Buffalo Reflection
A reflection of time gone by, thundering herds that ruled the plains, standing alone, but never alone.

Image 17/25

@ Oklahoma, Flag
In the northeast part of the state, cedar, maple, oak and walnut trees grow. Cottonwood, the state tree, crops up throughout the state. But Kansas is covered in a lot of grass: the west grows buffalo grass; the Southeastern Plains have bluestem grass, switch grass, and Indian grass; and the Great Plains grow bluegrass. Common wildflowers include sunflowers, verbena, purple coneflower, prairie phlox and prickly poppy.
Oklahoma, Flag
Always, country to the top, and proudly wave the state flag of Oklahoma.

Image 18/25

@ Oklahoma Sunset
Oklahoma State flower: Oklahoma rose
Oklahoma Sunset
Streaks of color fill the dusk, painting memories of gold, shifting like the sands on shore.

Image 19/25

@ Oklahoma Oil Well at Sunlight
"What is the capital of Kansas?" queried Squeaks.
"Topeka!" responded Melinda.
Oklahoma Oil Well at Sunlight
Dawn creeps slowly over the Eastern horizon, lending beauty to the ever working pump jacks in the fields, that create an artistry to man and machine.

Image 20/25

@ Oklahoma Prairie Grass
Oklahoma State flower: Oklahoma rose
Oklahoma Prairie Grass
Whispers of wind flit in and out of the blades of grass, dancing and weaving against a backdrop of softening sunlight before dipping into darkness.

Image 21/25

@ Oklahoma Sunrise at the Paddocks
Step into frontier life at Old Cowtown Museum, a "town" of about 40 historic buildings furnished to look like as they did in the 1860s and 1870s! A general store, a jail, and a schoolhouse can all be explored.
Oklahoma Sunrise at the Paddocks
Shaking the morning dew from glossy coats, swishing manes and tails, warming up with the sun to make gallop to greet the new day!

Image 22/25

@ Oklahoma Brewing Storm
Cimarron County, located in the Oklahoma Panhandle, is the only county in the U.S. bordered by 4 separate states - Texas, New Mexico, Colorado & Kansas.
Oklahoma Brewing Storm
The ominous clouds gather over the Red River, promise of fury in the darkening horizon, the slight smell of ozone from lightening strikes not yet seen, seek cover soon!

Image 23/25

@ Oklahoma Deer
"Have you seen our tour guide, Squeaks?" queried Anhedonia ♡. "It says 'Descend 650 feet beneath the earth to experience Strataca, Kansas’ underground salt museum. It’s part of a working salt mine, whose salt was formed about 275 million years ago.' "
"Wow!" remarked Squeaks, round-eyed.
"Just think of that when you're sprinkling salt on your chips this lunchtime!" said Anhedonia ♡.
Oklahoma Deer
Rarely seen during the day, masters of camouflage, you have to look twice before you realize the silent visitors are here to observe you as well.

Image 24/25

@ Oklahoma Light Show
"What is the capital of Kansas?" queried Squeaks.
"Topeka!" responded Sir Fluffle Bottom.
Oklahoma Light Show
With nothing but the waiving grains to break the horizon, you're in for front row seating to the spectacular show of light.

Image 25/25

@ Oklahoma Collared Lizard
Squeaks has now completed his journey through Kansas & Oklahoma! As he prepares to go home, he receives a wonderful gift!
Old Green Caboose And Road Runner
Hurry, grab my wing, and up we go. Whew! You made it. I usually prefer to run everywhere, but my friend—the coyote—wanted me to lend a wing with this train run today. It feels odd sitting in this here old caboose. It looks right good though; we recently gave it a lick of green paint to spruce it up. So, where are you going? Are you just sightseeing? There is an old ghost town along the way; do you mean to stop off there? Have you travelled by train before? Sorry for all the questions. I am usually running too fast to stop and spin a yarn.

Oklahoma Collared Lizard
Wild and free, me! I love to skittle around on the rocks and bask in the sun! I have some relatives who decided to take the comfort of being pets, maybe someday I'll go that route, but now, I'll make my own rules.
Squeaks has enjoyed his journey through Kansas & Oklahoma, but it is time to go home now! Please select another pet as visitor, so it can also enjoy a journey through the American Frontier!