Hot Air Balloons

davev

Dilemma and I went to this event yesterday and this morning.

Rather than adding to his shots, I figured I start my own thread.

It was 7 degrees and cloudy when we got to the launch site at 6:45 am.
(that's an hour before sun up around here)
It was iffy about the launch because the wind was right on the launch/don't launch mark at 7 MPH.
Well, about 12-15 launched, I think 7 inflated but decided against launching.
And I'll guess another dozen didn't even get the balloons out of their trailers.
The folks on the loudspeaker said that some of the balloonists weren't from
the area, so for their safety, they would stay on the ground.

Anyway, here are some of my shots.

to me not knowing anything about this, it looked like getting the balloon to
stand up with the wind blowing, was the biggest challenge.



but once upright, everything went pretty well





This kid was so excited to see the clown head balloon, but it never left the ground.



This was near the end, a lot of the people had gone, and the wind had picked up.



As always, thanks for looking.

Skippy

Hi Dave

davev wrote:

Dilemma and I went to this event yesterday and this morning.

Rather than adding to his shots, I figured I start my own thread.

It was 7 degrees and cloudy when we got to the launch site at 6:45 am.
(that's an hour before sun up around here)
It was iffy about the launch because the wind was right on the launch/don't launch mark at 7 MPH.
Well, about 12-15 launched, I think 7 inflated but decided against launching.
And I'll guess another dozen didn't even get the balloons out of their trailers.
The folks on the loudspeaker said that some of the balloonists weren't from
the area, so for their safety, they would stay on the ground.

Anyway, here are some of my shots.

to me not knowing anything about this, it looked like getting the balloon to
stand up with the wind blowing, was the biggest challenge.
but once upright, everything went pretty well
This kid was so excited to see the clown head balloon, but it never left the ground.
This was near the end, a lot of the people had gone, and the wind had picked up.
As always, thanks for looking.

I love the different shapes those balloons come in.........you have to wonder how on earth they know that they will balance and float don't you?
The colours just suck me right in I tell you..... they are just beautiful.

A couple of years ago I got to see quite a few inflate and take off, and some land too, it was just wonderful to see.

Thanks for sharing your day........ Skippy (Australia)

davev

Thanks for commenting Skippy.

If they do something like this in the summer, I will go definitely go back.

mrcoons

Great shots Dave. I always enjoy balloon pics!!:):

davev

Thanks Mark.

Sushant

I love these shots! The colors are so vibrant.

USAIR

Love the photos
Hot Air Balloons make great subjects...especially at night

Thanks
Fred

Angelo

very nice series Dave.
How did you accomplish your #2 shot? It appears as though you were aloft in a balloon.

ginger_55

Nice series, Davey! Great colors!

We have terrible, cold, weather, rain tomorrow, then colder.

I am waiting to get a shot of those kite things that people ride over the water, but didn't expect to get it til next week, soonest. The "earth warming" effect has left us for the moment.

I really like your balloons!

ginger

davev

Thanks Everyone.

Sushant, Thanks. I best part about these shots are, I used
consumer lenses. I started out with a Canon 28-135is, but quickly found
out that it wasn't wide enough. So I switched to a Tamron 18-200 DI lens.
(I don't need no stinkin "L" lenses)

Fred, they had a moonglow display one of the evenings that, from what I
hear, was a lot of fun to go to, and take photos of.

Angelo, that was skill and luck. The lowest balloon is still lying on the
ground, partially inflated. With the wind picking up, and it being directly
behind me, the balloon that left the ground was rocking toward, and
away from me. I happen to catch it as it was swung away, and that's
why it looks like I'm in the air.

Ginger, thanks. I'm sure the warm weather will return there soon, and you'll
be getting the shots of the kites. (what are those called anyways?)

Thanks again.

Travis F

Nice photos DaveV.

The town I live in used to host the world championship Hot Air Balloon Festival. We still host something, but I forget the name of it right now.

My Dad actually used to pilot one also. They are awesome to go for rides in. Very peaceful when you are in the air.

Just thought that I would comment.

davev

Thanks Travis.

Bobsballoons.com

The Clown
I am not sure how this works so I am putting my coments at the top.

Here is a link to where a Clown balloon picture is:

http://flyingtech.smugmug.com/gallery/530159/2/21892088

I hope that you enjoy Hot Air Balloons as much as we do.

Our friend Kenney used to own the Clown.

George Wheeler

davev wrote:

Dilemma and I went to this event yesterday and this morning.

Rather than adding to his shots, I figured I start my own thread.

It was 7 degrees and cloudy when we got to the launch site at 6:45 am.
(that's an hour before sun up around here)
It was iffy about the launch because the wind was right on the launch/don't launch mark at 7 MPH.
Well, about 12-15 launched, I think 7 inflated but decided against launching.
And I'll guess another dozen didn't even get the balloons out of their trailers.
The folks on the loudspeaker said that some of the balloonists weren't from
the area, so for their safety, they would stay on the ground.

Anyway, here are some of my shots.

to me not knowing anything about this, it looked like getting the balloon to
stand up with the wind blowing, was the biggest challenge.



but once upright, everything went pretty well





This kid was so excited to see the clown head balloon, but it never left the ground.



This was near the end, a lot of the people had gone, and the wind had picked up.



As always, thanks for looking.

pathfinder

I agree with Travis

Balloons are great fun to soar in. I have ridden a balloon down the Rio Grande Gorge twice becasue it was so much fun. Fun to take pictures of during initial inflation, during flight, and back on the ground, as you captured so well davev.

Awais Yaqub

superb clear pictures

Bobsballoons.com

I am trying to throw up a picture or two so this is a test.

George

davev

Bobsballoons.com wrote:

I am trying to throw up a picture or two so this is a test.

George

Thanks again folks.

George, when you try to post a pic from smugmug, right click on the photo,
go to the bottom where it says properties, left click that. Then in the new
window, about in the middle, you will see URL. Highlight, then copy that.

We're most of the way home. Now when you do your message, click on the
small, yellow, mountain picture, then paste your copied URL there.

That should do it.



Hope this helps.

ian408

Bobsballoons.com wrote:

I am trying to throw up a picture or two so this is a test.

George

You've got the linky right. See the "how to post a picture" thread. It'll get
you going in the right direction.

Nice ballon shots! I've never ridden in one. One day.

dannirr

The clown did not get off the ground because it was too windy - I am the pilot of that balloon and I tried to get it up for the kids, but the risk of burning it was too great. The penguin in the pictures was able to get up because they used multiple crown lines to stabilse it - I don't carry more than one.

Best,

Danni
www.skukuza.com

ivar

dannirr wrote:

The clown did not get off the ground because it was too windy - I am the pilot of that balloon and I tried to get it up for the kids, but the risk of burning it was too great. The penguin in the pictures was able to get up because they used multiple crown lines to stabilse it - I don't carry more than one.

Best,

Danni
www.skukuza.com

Cool, thanks for that info and welcome to Dgrin