Ugly Osprey

And it doesn't catch fish either!

The V-22 Osprey that is. Development started on this when I was in college (early 80's). It was designed to replace our aging helocopters. They are just now entering service.

This one was doing touch and go's, of a sort, at Bogue Field. It made two passes after I got set up. I shot the first pass with my N80, the second pass with the Coolpix 5700. Wish I had gotten there earlier and gotten more shots.

First and fourth shots are cropped. The second and third are full frame, just reduced for PR.

Same Osprey. After it's last touch and go, it headed west, undoubtedly back to New River Air Station, where they are based.

These were taken seconds apart, and you can see how much haze there was. Temps were around 100 yesterday, with heat indexes around 115. It was one of the haziest days I have ever seen here on the coast, and I was born and raised here.

Both of these shots are heavily cropped. Approximately 10-15% of the frame.