Balloon Glow 2011

In my opinion one of the best parts of the Balloon Fiesta is the Balloon Glow. You do not have to get up at 4:30 am as Balloon Glows are evening events. The traffic for afternoon events is often not quite as bad. Most important, the sight of the Balloons glowing in the autumn evening is really lovely.

This year we had rain during the Balloon Fiesta. The Special Shapes Rodeo and the Special Shapes Rodeo Glowdeo were both canceled because of rain. Fortunately, the weather for the last Balloon Glow of the Fiesta was gorgeous. Balloon crews began to inflate the balloons as the sun began to set.

Balloons inflating

Many people came to see the balloons, and I discovered what Santa Claus does in October!

Santa Claus at the Balloon Fiesta

The balloons inflated, and the pilots worked the burners, causing the balloons to glow.

Octopus balloon

The balloons looked beautiful as they glowed against the sunset.

Balloons glow against the sunset.

More balloons against the sunset.

Iwi the Kiwi and others

Here are several more photos from the Balloon Glow:

Butterfly

Balloon group

Airabelle

Balloon Glow

Balloon Glow

Haunted Mansion

Balloon Glow closeup

Zebra

There were dazzling fireworks after the Balloon Glow.

Here is a short video of the Balloon Glow and fireworks display:

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Up, Up and Away!

In a previous post about the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta I posted photos of balloons preparing to launch. The officials decided that the winds were calm enough for the launch, and the spectators watched as balloons rose into the beautiful blue sky. I have been taking photos at the Balloon Fiesta for years, and this year I decided to concentrate on photographing individual balloons.

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, October 8, 2011.

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, October 8, 2011.

Here is a short view of the mass ascension:

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The Balloon Fiesta-At Last

This year was an interesting one at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. The first weekend was beautiful with flawless launches, but I never go on the first weekend because of the crowds, which are often more that 100,000 people. I usually go on Thursday, Friday and the second Saturday, because those days are dedicated to the special shapes, which are my favorites. This year it rained on Thursday and Friday. On Saturday, I rose at 4:30 a.m., determined to see balloons.

It had snowed in the Sandias the night before, and it was cold as we stood around wondering whether the balloons would be cleared to launch.

Snow on the Sandias

The field was very wet and it was a bit breezy, which put the launch on hold. At 8:00 a.m. we got the word that the balloons were cleared to launch.

The balloons began to cold-inflate, which means that the balloon crew blows air into the balloon envelope with a big fan.

Cold inflation

In a very short period of time there were inflated balloons all over the launch field.

Balloons waiting to launch.

Airabelle the Creamland cow is always a crowd favorite.

Airabelle

Balloons continued to inflate and began to launch.

Special shapes inflating, balloon launching.

The official Fiesta balloon launched, the band played the National Anthem, and the launch was officially underway.

Official Fiesta Balloon.

Let’s sit back and watch the balloons prepare to launch.

Butterfly and basketball.

Iwi the Kiwi, from New Zealand.

A cool dude.

Pepe Le Pew

Spider Pig.

Butterfly and bees.

Wells Fargo Stagecoach.

Haunted Mansion and Clock.

Haunted Mansion.

Nelly-B

Shark

Kitty

Balloon Fiesta Tourist.

Super FMG

Zebra

I will post more Balloon Fiesta photos over the next week or so. Stay tuned.

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The Balloons Came to My House

The first weekend of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is always very crowded. For that reason I usually go later in the week. On Sunday the balloons came to my house.

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