2010 Pittsfield Hot-Air Balloon Rally

HaveCameraWillTravel

Hi. Back from the Pittsfield Hot-Air Balloon Rally in NH with a few pictures to share with all of you. The weather was not very cooperative this year, as the launch on Friday evening was canceled due to wind, the Saturday launch was in overcast skies, and that night's launch was canceled due to an unfavorable wind direction (but The Irish Rover flew anyway!). We only attended Saturday's events. Despite these setbacks, there were still some great moments, including the moonglow which went on as scheduled, and the magnificent Telstar fireworks show lasting 45 minutes. So, without further ado...

[Photos (C) Arthur L. Gonyea]

1. Moonglow


2. "Wild Ride" which was tethered Saturday night


3. "Tia's Tuition" touching down in the river.


4. "Gary's Balloon just lifting off from touchdown with burner lit.


More hot-air balloons from this gallery can be seen at:
http://gonyeagalleries.smugmug.com/Hot-Air-Balloons/Pittsfield-NH-Balloon-Rally/13591935_w7qix#875908629_rhYKn

Thanks for looking

rwells

Really like the first shot in particular

Shooting a ballon fest is on my bucket list...

Snowgirl

Come to New Brunswick for our annual Atlantic International Balloon Fiesta, this year being held on the week-end of September 10-12.

http://www.atlanticballoonfiesta.ca/

I live on the flight path regardless of which of the two launch points they use

Darren Troy C

#3 is just awesome! How is it that the water line goes right up to "town"? Is there a large levy in the distance? Very cool shot!

HaveCameraWillTravel

Darren Troy C wrote: »

#3 is just awesome! How is it that the water line goes right up to "town"? Is there a large levy in the distance? Very cool shot!

Well, actually, what you are seeing is the top of a dam. There is a road passing in front of the buildings you see the tops of. If I were to shoot down there, looking up the river, I would have to climb onto the dam in order to see the whole balloon and its reflection when it touched down. I only wish the lighting were better, so I made do with what I had. Thanks for the compliment and your question.

Best Wishes,

Art

HaveCameraWillTravel

Snowgirl wrote: »

Come to New Brunswick for our annual Atlantic International Balloon Fiesta, this year being held on the week-end of September 10-12.

http://www.atlanticballoonfiesta.ca/

I live on the flight path regardless of which of the two launch points they use

It's a bit of a haul for a Massachusetts resident, but one of these days, maybe. Thanks for letting me know about this festival.

Art

HaveCameraWillTravel

rwells wrote: »

Really like the first shot in particular

Shooting a ballon fest is on my bucket list...

They are a lot of fun - though you'll have to get me drunk to go that high in a bag of hot air!

Most of these hot-air balloon festivals have rides and face-painting for the kids, live music, magic, belly dancing, food and craft vendors, some (like Pittsfield NH) even have helicopter rides and small car shows when the balloons are not flying. They're fun for families too. My wife and I see a lot of kids at these festivals. And of course, the balloons are fun to photograph, especially when they hover over a river and reflect in it. And thanks for the compliment!

Regards,
Art

beetle8

Great position for the shots along the water. Great shots. I live in Londonderry and we go up about every third year, last year was our year.

HaveCameraWillTravel

Thanks, beetle8 for the kind remarks. Will visit your site and see what you've got!