Since I only live 5 minutes from the Balloon Fiesta Park – well, during the fiesta, it’s more like 45 minutes and I am less than 5 miles (it’s just a part of this event, get up early, take some coffee and a lot of patience) –  I am fortunate to see balloons flying all the time, and occasionally hitch a ride.  Here are my photos from the Special Shapes in 2010.  Sadly, the winds were just a bit too much last year on the day I went so they were unable to fly.  Special Shape balloons, having much more square footage, are considerably more risky to fly on gusty days.  Even though they did not fly, I completely and thoroughly enjoyed myself.   The pilots still inflate the balloons and it is like being a child again in an imaginary Wonderland as you wander around and under all the special shapes and teardrop balloons.  A true photographers nirvana, as well.

Here is to fair weather and calm winds this year!  Fiesta kicks off this year on Friday, Sept. 30th and runs until Sunday, Oct. 9th.  I will be there with camera in hand, so check back for this years pictures.

The Balloonist’s Prayer:

May the winds welcome you with softness.
May the sun bless you with its warm hands.
May you fly so high and so well that God joins you in laughter
And sets you gently back into the loving arms of Mother Earth.
  ~ Author Unknown

And here is “Clocks” by Coldplay for your listening enjoyment while viewing the slideshow… 🙂

Or you may listen to the Fifth Dimension “Up, Up and Away in my Beautiful Balloon”

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Published by Michelle

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