I did a search of topics on this site about Route 66 and discovered, much to my dismay, that the last time a topic was opened concerning this historic highway was in 2017.

Really folks, some of the best (and historic) photographs can be had on this highway. I have occasion to drive portions of this road at least twice each year because my children and grandchildren live in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Once this virus situation is over I will once again be taking my cameras "on the road" and one of my goals for later this year or early next year is to drive the entire length of Route 66.

I've posted a shot taken in Tucumcari, NM a few weeks ago. I passed this scene late one evening and took a few photos. Upon review I decided that the blue hour would work better. I set my alarm for 5:00 am and made sure that I was set up for the shot during the morning blue hour. This is the result.

Hello! I hope you like dragonflies. 🙂

First up is a male flame skimmer (Libellula saturata). This was taken while visiting Phoenix, AZ last spring. A common species out there, but a real thrill for me.
Flame skimmer dragonfly by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Flame skimmer dragonfly by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr

Next is a female lance-tipped darner (Aeshna constricta) which had settled into our backyard garden. Funny, but I had been trying to photograph this species for some time in area parks, and here one came to me!
Lance tipped darner by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr

In an earlier post I had shown a female spatterdock darner (Rhionaeschna mutata). Here is a lovely male. He is just finishing his meal, which is (or was) another dragonfly. Dragonflies don’t only catch mosquitos!
Spatterdock darner by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr

Moving on to somewhat smaller species now. Here is a male twelve-spotted skimmer (Libellula pulchela). The picture is a focus stack of two pictures. Focus stacking does not need to be an elaborate and ambitious procedure, especially if you use dedicated stacking software like Zerene Stacker. A simple monopod, snap a couple pictures, and you can do it! Slight movement artifacts can be dealt with by painting them out with focused parts from one of the single frames. This does not always work, of course, but it's fun to try.
Twelve-spotted skimmer by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr

The four-spotted skimmer (Libellula quadrimaculata) shown in the next picture is another focused stacked image. Made from four pictures this time. I had never seen this species before. New finds are always exciting! Four-spotted skimmer by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr

Although technically not dragonflies, damselflies are from the same order of insects and so are similar in anatomy and biology. Damselflies typically rest with more vertical wings, and their heads are dumbbell shaped. So let's see some damselflies.

First up is a mating pair of skimming bluets (Enallagma geminatum). There are numerous species in the bluet family, and it is often challenging to identify them.
Mating skimming bluets by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
As is common for both dragonflies and damselflies, the pair will likely remain coupled over an extended period of time, and in many species this extends through when the female lays eggs in association with water. This is how the male helps ensure that his sperm are used to fertilize the eggs rather than an interloper male.

Next is an amber-winged spreadwing damselfly (Lestes eurinis). Spreadwings are given their name because their wings are partially spread, as you can see. This extraordinarily beautiful species is common in the woods, and is a favorite of mine.
Amber-winged spreadwing by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr

Finally, here is a shy swamp spreadwing damselfly (Lestes vigiles).
Shy swamp spreadwing damselfy. by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr

I bought a photo scanner to turn my photos, negatives, and slides into digital images. Using it for the first time today. It scans 4 slides at a time in just at 3 minutes, and they look awesome.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Epson_Perfection_V600_Photo_Scanner/Ntt/Epson+Perfection+V600+Photo+Scanner/N/0/?c3api=0980%2C&m=Y&msclkid=fb50849d61c0146471cfdae42ea18b30

The Epson Perfection V600 Photo Scanner is the solution for converting 35mm and medium-format slides, film, and prints into high-resolution digital files. With a maximum resolution of 6400 x 9600 dpi users can create enlargements up to 17 x 22". The unit has a built-in Transparency Unit which allows scanning of four 35mm mounted slides, or 12 negatives. It handles medium format film up to 6 x 22cm, plus photos and documents up to 8.5 x 11.7". This energy-efficient scanner has Epson's ReadyScan LED technology which enables the unit to operate without having to warm-up prior to use, with faster scans and lower power consumption.

The Perfection V600 has four customizable buttons to make scanning, copying, creating e-mail attachments and PDF files quick and easy. In order to create the most clean and accurate digital output, it comes with a comprehensive software package, including DIGITAL ICE technology for dust and scratch removal, ArcSoft PhotoStudio for image enhancement, and Easy Photo Fix for restoration of faded images.

Yes, I really like the second version of the photo better. The extra resolution helps a lot on my screen. Thanks for explaining the situation.

By the way, the aircraft on the elevator is a Douglas A-4 Skyhawk attack aircraft. Hard to say for sure, but it looks like there are some Grumman F-14 Tomcat fighter aircraft on the flight deck. It was a great airplane. I was a member of the fleet introduction team for the F-14, and was one of the first 3 maintenance control officers qualified on that plane in VF-124, the NAS Miramar based training squadron. It was an honor and a great tour of duty.
Regards,
Don