Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey at Sedona Airport (Infrared). Last month I posted a photo of an osprey taking off from a rocky island in Lake Pleasant to fish for its lunch. Here’s an Osprey of a different feather – or rather, no feathers at all – and this one wouldn’t know what do to with a fish. Four of these unique military aircraft, operated by Marines from California’s Camp Pendleton, were in Sedona for field exercises, and I was fortunate enough to be on hand when two of them were fired up to return to their base. Designed to fly like either a helicopter or a conventional fixed-wing aircraft (or something in between), they can operate effectively under an amazing range of conditions. (More photos to follow.)

Image ©2021 James D. Peterson

Tech info: Nikon D3200 camera (modified for infrared with 590nm filter), Nikon 10-24mm lens at 10mm, 1/200 sec. at f14, ISO 200.