Balloon Fiesta 2015

[Basil]

Got up at 4AM and headed to the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta! Still did not make it to the park in time for start of mass ascension, but a fun day anyway. Many pictures on Flickr here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/britishcarforum/sets/72157657115033153/

I'm uploading a few here that I particularly like.

Smokey Bear

​

Mass Ascension​

USA Pride​

Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon!​

Pig stack!​

Canon, official sponsor, had these new 400mm f2.8 L IS lenses. I was able to try this beast! Now if I just had $10k laying around!!
(See the picture of my wife below taking with this beast from 200 yards)​

Hello down there!​

My better half from 200 yards with a Canon 7D M2 and new 400mm f2.8 L IS USM II Lens (A cool $10k lens)​

A true Balloon Fiesta Fan!​

Balloon Lady​

Random Lady poses with balloon​

 

[Boink]

Do they ever collide during that mass ascension?

 

[Basil]

Do they ever collide during that mass ascension?

I imagine it happens, but not very often. They know how to stay separated. Power lines are the biggest danger I suspect. The Smoky Bear ballon in my first picture crashed into a radio tower a few years back. The old guy and young boy who were onboard had to climb down a very tall radio tower to safety. I was manning a funnel cake booth raising money for American Cancer Society and witnessed that crash first hand. It happened directly in front of the booth I was working.

 

[Sherlock]

I must say Basil, I love that photo of the lady holding the mini balloon, very well done... I did fave it on Flickr... I would just crop out all the stuff on the left side of the photo to draw the viewers attention straight to the lady...

 

[Mickey Richaud]

I must say Basil, I love that photo of the lady holding the mini balloon, very well done... I did fave it on Flickr... I would just crop out all the stuff on the left side of the photo to draw the viewers attention straight to the lady...

Yup - all great pics. And that mini balloon would make a great hummingbird feeder!

 

[DrEntropy]

Nice shots. I miss the annual balloon fest we used to host here. The powers that be decided the event was too expensive.

 

[GTP1960]

I must say Basil, I love that photo of the lady holding the mini balloon, very well done... I did fave it on Flickr... I would just crop out all the stuff on the left side of the photo to draw the viewers attention straight to the lady...

I kind of like the concept of "guy caught in the act of taking a picture of the lady" picture.
that young lady appears to be an attention getter all by herself!

i was able to go to several balloon festival in the late 70's & early 80's when I lived in W. Texas.
Great memories.

& Great pics Basil.

 

[Brooklands]

Basil,

I too enjoyed your photos. I was in Albuquerque during the festival one time, but most of the week they did not ascend due to rain. Thanks for sharing a wonderful event. I faved a few on Flickr as well.

Thanks again.

 

[PAUL161]

I imagine it happens, but not very often. They know how to stay separated. Power lines are the biggest danger I suspect. The Smoky Bear ballon in my first picture crashed into a radio tower a few years back. The old guy and young boy who were onboard had to climb down a very tall radio tower to safety. I was manning a funnel cake booth raising money for American Cancer Society and witnessed that crash first hand. It happened directly in front of the booth I was working.

I remember seeing that on the TV news, quite scary to say the least! Watching them climb down that tower wasn't for the faint of heart. PJ