A great show on the Smithsonian Channel is "Aerial America". They do 1 hour shows and going to each state. They talk about the history of each state, fly over the mountains, lakes, cities, etc. According to this photo they recently flew over OKC. I guess we need to keep checking our local listings. My guide says over the next month they are showing New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, Arkansas, Colorado, Mississippi, Vermont, Deleware, and Maryland

""You find amazing surprises in every state," a producer said. "Just recently, we were flying in the Dust Bowl area of Oklahoma, and we came across a field of lush green wheat. There, running through the middle of it, was a single antelope. It's exciting when something like that appears on the horizon and you know it will be terrific for the program."

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151478984953357&set=a.79977033356.75802.74671163356&type=1&theater

That sounds awful, but I can't wait to see if the antelope did something interesting.

I'm sure Oklahoma will be highlighted in a good way. I'm sure they flew over okc, Tulsa, panhandle, turner falls, southeast and southwest Oklahoma mountains, the eastern lakes if I had to guess.

Thanks for the heads up!

While the "dust bowl" comment is a little odd (probably doesn't help that half the state is in a severe drought), I can assure you their program is top notch. This is way more than some dudes flying around in a helicopter taking pictures.

Its a shame that more people don't have the Smithsonian Channel, because its actually very good programming in general. I always try to catch DVR'ed episodes of Aerial America when I visit my parents. All the episodes I've seen are thorough and generally try to highlight the positive aspects of their location.

Thanks for the heads up!

While the "dust bowl" comment is a little odd (probably doesn't help that half the state is in a severe drought), I can assure you their program is top notch. This is way more than some dudes flying around in a helicopter taking pictures.

Its a shame that more people don't have the Smithsonian Channel, because its actually very good programming in general. I always try to catch DVR'ed episodes of Aerial America when I visit my parents. All the episodes I've seen are thorough and generally try to highlight the positive aspects of their location.

Is it on Cox? U-verse? Sounds like something I'd like.

I love Aerial America. You can buy the episodes on iTunes. I bought the Arkansas show; it was great, but the narrator sure needed help with some of the pronunciations.

That sounds awful, but I can't wait to see if the antelope did something interesting.

Seriously? lol. You are a piece of work.

Is it on Cox? U-verse? Sounds like something I'd like.

Not on Cox (BOO Cox!) but U-verse does offer it.

Id like to see the show. I don't use iProducts so that option is out and I don't do cable. At least their website has almost 2:00 clips.

It's good to know the shows are available in iTunes. I just went there and you can watch the shows right on your iPad or computer. $2.99 a pop, but considering I pay $140 a month for cable, what's an extra $3? (If you just want to see the OK episode when it comes out.) http://itunes.apple.com/us/tv-season/aerial-america/id439362625 Or, it's available in standard definition for $1.99 here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/tv-season/aerial-america/id439362625?showLC=true For this particular show though, I'm guessing HD is the way to go. The reviews on iTunes, btw, are overwhelmingly positive.

It's on Verizon Fios too.

Oh, thank you for the heads up!!! I will look for this.

As for the clueless comment about the antelope, in fairness to Spartan, unless someone is educated in the ecoregions where they thrive, it is easy to overlook the absolute wonder of that kind of environment. I think it takes a certain bit of specialized education to even begin to appreciate how marvelous and alive a prairie or desert region is. It is truly one of those things that if you don't know, you usually have no idea what you are overlooking.

To add a famous quote from naturalist/birder Pete Dunne from his classic "Prairie Spring, a Journey into the Heart of a Season:"


Grasslands are no drive-by environment, no place for windshield tourists. You won’t see a horned lizard at sixty-five miles an hour or be able to find spring flowers rising like the phoenix on its five hundredth or watch a Swainson’s hawk hunt, on foot at the edge of a burn, or listen to the plaintive, pure-toned song of Cassin’s sparrow.
You have to get out of the car and get out into it.

They filmed Oklahoma. They have two clips on their site now. I'm sure everyone is going to freak out about the content, but its an hour long show people so....

Aerial America | Oklahoma - Smithsonian Channel (http://www.smithsonianchannel.com/site/sn/show.do?episode=3361524)

Nice pics...no video though.

Nice pics...no video though.

updated link: The Black Blizzards of Oklahoma - Smithsonian Channel (http://www.smithsonianchannel.com/site/sn/video/player/air-and-space/latest-videos/) (another one under it)

Very interesting...I met the Smithsonian researcher on a flight a few months a go. I was wondering when this was going to be released. Thanks!

The hour long Aerial America episode of Oklahoma airs at 3pm on Smithsonian Channel.

DirecTV 565
Verizon FiOS 634
AT&T U-verse 1118

I liked the episode. Had some very amazing views of the state you can't get from the ground. Especially liked seeing Guthrie, the Glass Mountains, and Salt Plains. Very cool shots.

The hour long Aerial America episode of Oklahoma airs at 3pm on Smithsonian Channel.

DirecTV 565
Verizon FiOS 634
AT&T U-verse 1118Not on Cox Cable. :(

Not on Cox Cable. :(

They will eventually post the full episode sometime on their website.

They have a tidbit on the iPad app. It only covers the Great Salt Plains and Little Sahara though...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8MxGbyDc8o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFSprH9tDM0

I bought the Oklahoma episode on iTunes and just finished it up. I thought it was fantastic! Made me proud to be an Okie. :-)