Balloon Classic 2011

This past Labor day weekend, I attended the Balloon Classic in the Springs again. Unlike last year, this time I was standing amidst the balloons while they inflated and took off. The difference was amazing and I got some interesting shots of the insides of balloons this time that were missed last year. Nothing can make you feel small like being surrounded by 10-20 balloons fully (or nearly) inflated!

I found a number of the names of the teams amusing so I included a few photos of them and their signs as well. Enjoy!

 

As you can see, pigs really do fly!

Talk about men and their expensive toys! This is a shot of the trailer used to carry the balloon for this team.

I got a kick out of this one. This team was the first to be airborne after the start of the event.

Let the inflation of the balloons begin!

Securing the crown.

Nearly complete!

One of the nice shots I got from inside the balloon.

Another shot looking up from the inside of the balloon.

Another shot from inside. You can see the burner on the lower left corner. Love the leading lines in this shot.

An amusing shot of things you cannot see once the balloon is vertical and fully inflated.

I like the pattern repetition and vivid colors on this one.

Another interestingly shaped balloon. A parrot this time. No protrusions on the back, just the beak and crown on the front and top. I wonder if it makes it harder to fly being unbalanced.

A little different angle on this shot.

Interesting name.

I was kind of surprised at the number of crews that came from Amarillo or surrounding areas.

Appropriate name for a balloon crew.

Another appropriate name for a balloon crew.

Excess indeed. Check out the cost of a balloon online sometime...

Fireworks

A few photos of some fireworks the neighbor behind our house set off shortly after the 4th of July.

Butterfly Pavilion

This post is long overdue. The day before mother's day we went to the Butterfly Pavilion in north Denver. These are some of the photos from that visit.

Paper Kite Butterfly

Grey Pansy Butterfly

Zebra Longwing Butterfly

Common Morpho Butterfly

Zebra Longwing Butterflies

Tiger Longwing Butterfly

Angel's Trumpet Flower

Hibiscus Flower

Magnificent Owl Butterfly

Bleeding Heart Flowers

Magnificent Owl Butterfly

Blue-banded Morpho Butterfly

Banded Orange Butterfly

Pink-spotted Swallowtail Butterfly

Atlas Moth

Hibiscus Flower

Banded Orange Butterfly

Lightning

Since I began digital photography, and even prior to that, I have had a certain passion for storms. To me, there is nothing more awesome than the fireworks provided by mother nature. Finally, I was able to capture a couple of decent photos of it in tonight's storm. Enjoy!

The neighbor's car getting a "charge".

Missing You

Today I made a run to Garden of the Gods for a project I am working on. While there, I was struck by this man. He spoke volumes in his solitary pose along a wall in the park, yet never said a word or opened his eyes. I admit that I hesitated to take this shot, feeling as if I was intruding on his quiet memorable moment, but in the end, I just couldn't resist.