The Noah's Ark hot air balloon Photo

Photographer’s Note

Hello and a Happy Weekend to the TE members.

The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta and the Special Shapes balloon—my favourite…
Every year 600 plus balloons come from all over the world to participate in a 9 day fiesta. This year there are pilots from 23 countries. It is a big deal!

This is Arky, the Noah’s Ark balloon about to be launched. A very popular balloon and a favourite with many. The animals are so neat-they bend and sway in the wind. They are so colourful and dynamic that the balloon just gladdens one heart for sure. Arky certainly gladdens my heart.
A huge cheer goes off when Arky launches. He is an old friend of the Balloon Fiesta and has been coming for years. He is one of the earlier special shape balloons.
There are animals all around the body of the balloon, with a rainbow on top. I submitted another side of the balloon in TL.

In the WS are another 2 special shape balloons.

For 2 days the fiesta holds a special shapes Rodeo, where all the special shape balloons are grouped together and launch as a unit. Flying competitions are held and the pilots have chances to win prizes. The special shape and regular balloons have different competitions. The special shapes are quirky fliers and quirky to handle so cannot compete with the regular balloons.
PP
It was dawn and the sun had barely popped over the mountain. Most of the balloon was still in pre- dawn darkness. Technically not great but I wanted to share Arky with you. I hope you enjoy him as much as I did!
Joni

nivaldo, claudigan, CycleEyes, lrw1966, pablominto, jusninasirun, thor68 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

nivaldo (13113) 2008-10-11 22:41

It may be very funny, Joni!
It´s amazing to see it!
TFS again !
Kind regards,
Nivaldo
RECIFE-Brazil

batalay (20994) 2008-10-11 22:52

Hello Joni,

I love this photograph and your excellent note. The photograph is well composed, colorful, humorous and displaying good resolution. In 1984 I was a member of an archaeological expedition looking for Noah's Ark on Mt. Ararat. We were clearly looking in the wrong place!

Warm regards,

bulent

claudigan (2755) 2008-10-12 0:13

Hello,
Your subject is fantastic, well framed with fun and colours, all that i like! Cars and peoples give a great idea of the great size of Arky. Really well done!
Regards,
Claude.

danyy (68947) 2008-10-12 0:20

Bonjour Joni,

Une photo cocasse dans une festival de belles couleurs, tu étais là au bon moment.
Amicalement, Daniel

CycleEyes (598) 2008-10-12 7:49

Hello Joni, great moment captured, this ballon really is nice, pleasure to see. Nice exposure and framing showing the beautiful colour tones and details.
George

lrw1966 (1630) 2008-10-14 9:01

Joni Hi:

Beautiful colors, amazing event - wonderful fun filled composition with a lot to see.

Thanks for the notes
Congratulations, very nice, my friend
Larry
USa-tfs

clic (4063) 2008-10-17 16:05

Hello Joni
Noah himself would'nt beleive that lighter-than-air could lift such a heavy load of two animals of each specie!!
A stunning giant shape and so colourful!
Best regards.
Robert

pablominto (40788) 2008-10-23 3:21

Hello Joni,

Seems like someone had a lot of fun designing this... vessel!
Hopefully the balloon still behave safely in the air...
The colourful creation is well captured, sharp fine details!

Greetings,
Pablo -

jusninasirun (10209) 2008-10-24 22:04

Hi Joni. Very special shape of your fav balloon. Good angle in capturing the whole balloon with the truck underneath. TFS and have a wonderful weekend. Jusni

giorgimer (21274) 2008-10-27 1:26

Hi Joni,

very nice subject, it's unusual here to see such elaborated hot air baloons. Good POV amd colors.

TFS

Gio