This was the first time I've seen this beauty and it obviously caught my attention right away. It is in the Daisy Family, so each petal is actually a separate flower. I found this one while #boondocking at the #MerrittReservoirSRA in the #Nebraska #Sandhills. The Sandhills have a cool make-up, because it resembles both rolling #Prairy and a High desert rolled into one. The #IndianBlanketFlower or #GaillardiaPulchella goes by many names, my favorite being 'Firewheel'. The only parts of the #Firewheel considered #edible are the seeds, which can be dried and ground into a seed butter. That being said, it's the oil of the plant itself from all the parts that have #medicinal properties. Traditionally it was used by #NativeAmericans to treat tender nipples from breastfeeding and taken internally as a tea for urinary tract issues. A scientific analysis of the oil show it may be used to treat parasites, has #antitumoral properties, it's cytotoxic meaning it may kill living cells(a good thing when treating cancers) and shows promise as a natural antioxidant, according to The Journal of Oleo Science. It's native to the #Midwest and the Kiowa Tribe consider it to be a sign of good luck. They are choice for #pollinators like bees and butterflies and make for a beautiful ornamental landscaping flower. It's also #Oklahoma's #StateFlower. I think the next time we are out there I'll have [AlphaHippie] harvest some for the seeds. Then we'll start them with the rest of the plants we cultivate in our #garden each Spring. For more information you can check out the Wildflowers of New Mexico here, https://www.wildflowersnm.com/Wildflowers_of_New_Mexico/Gaillardia_pulchella.html #SoMee #someeoriginals #originalcontent #photography #AweSoMee #RVing #roadtrippin #boondocking #hiking #trail #travel #photography #myphoto #nature #scenery #Nebraska #History #adventure #life #geology #FlowerPhotography #PlantIdentification #EdiblePlants #MedicinalPlants #NaturalMedicine #FoodAsMedicine

Everyone knows that #Pelicans live around the ocean's coastlines, but have you ever associated them with the #Midwest? Not just any part of the Midwest either. I'm talking about the landlocked area smack dab in the middle of the U.S. Is that an inappropriate wing gesture the pelican is throwing up? 🤣 I haven't research it, but think these guys/gals visit my area on the way up to the #GreatLakes region during their #migration North in the #Spring. Since they aren't here for very long and certainly not all Summer, I think it's a safe guess. #SoMee #someeoriginals #originalcontent #myphoto #photography #nature #AnimalPhotography #birds #waterfowl

Took picture at work of one of the first cargo trains I have seen go by in weeks. Guessing due to the Cargo issues off the coast of California we seem to not have any trains of late carrying cargo to the midwestern states. Anyway the cargo on this train was interesting three of the largest trolleys had full plane bodies. Looked like about the size of domestic travel; all wrapped up in plastic wrap. Always wondered how they transported a new plane to be built.

Wow it is really coming down out there; this is a bigger storm than they expected...Heading to the midwest region get ready !