One of the good things about going to an event year after year is that, depending on the wind direction, you have an idea of what to expect.
This year, the wind took them directly over the Deschutes River so after a couple of balloons had launched, I headed over to the river.
I was not disappointed. Â Several of the balloons attempted “touch and go” landings on the river. Â Two were successful.
And I was able to capture some nice reflections.
There were quite a few paddle boarders on the water who were treated to an up close and personal look at the balloons.
Maralee
Through My Lens 
JUST STUNNING PHOTOS! They should be published in a magazine or shown in an art gallery. WONDERFUL WORK!
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
Thank you so much, Francine.
Fantastic shots Maralee. Love the reflections of the balloons in the water.
Thank you, Edith. Usually that early in the morning the water is still pretty calm so we can get some nice reflections.
What magnificent captures Maralee… absolutely outstanding.. I couldn’t comment on the first post due to local problems but this really looks a wonderful occasion to get such great photos… love the touch and goes…
Thanks, Rob. I look forward to that event every year . . . even if it does mean I have to get up at 5 a.m. on a weekend.
Such a colorful photos, I like them all, especially, the last one; amazing!
Thank you very much, Jaime. I think one of the reasons I enjoy the balloons so much is that they are so colorful. Great photography subjects.
What fun.
It is fun. Now I just have to get up in one of them sometime.
Very nice . . . Now I definitively will have to go to the one here.
. . . if they don’t cancel it.
Thanks, Emilio. They used to have the balloon festival the second week in June and they almost always had to cancel at least one day because of poor weather. Since they moved it to mid-July, they’ve never had a problem. Our summer weather is pretty consistent . . . hot and dry.
The water looks so very calm, I guess the balloons would not like windy days.
If there is too much wind, the balloons can’t go up. Usually at 6:00 a.m. the wind hasn’t picked up yet so they’re able to launch.
Beautiful pics!
Thanks, Judy.
Marvelous photos, Maralee … the colors … yes, everything. In Bristol, UK have the this days with air balloons to and is so fantastic to watch. Top photo my pick … together with the yellow & green over the water. Just stunning photos.
Thanks, Viveka. There is a huge balloon festival in Albuquerque, New Mexico that I would love to go to sometime. There they have hundreds of balloons launching.
Wow … what a color feast … poor camera. *smile
I think in Bristol is about 50-60. Amazing sight.
These pictures are stunning! My personal favourite is the yellow one above the water. I must admit, I am more than a little jealous!
Thanks, Reinhardt. I look forward to this event every year because they’re so much fun to photograph. Only 362 days to go until the next one. 🙂
Wonderful series, Maralee! Stunning colors, composition, everything!
Thanks so much, Carissa.
Where i live here in da rockies, dere are a few ballonists to enjoy also, i go out many a morning to take pics of them flying here when it is calm an ballonable out,, sometimes i go up in the air myself and fly round the ballonists and wave at em:)…is a lotta fun..very kewl shots there maralee 🙂 ur callin is ur camera in hand also,,do go out without it huh!…peace out …keep a shootin is a great way to record a lifes journey for the kids and grandkids an all someday ya know….hasta….Q
Thanks, Quarksire. So, are you a flying squirrel? Must be nice to be able to get up and fly among the trees and see things from a different persepective. 🙂
yes i am check out my blog u’ll see:)……..enjoy!
Great shots. I love balloons, but the reflections make them so very special!
Thanks, Lilly. Sometimes the wind takes them away from the water but this year it worked out perfectly.
Maralee — What a wonderful series of shots on the hot-air balloon launch. Each frame is pristine and well framed. Nicely done!
Thank you so much. Now if I can only get it from the other perspective . . . from inside the balloon.
Frightening, but looks nice. 😉
I have a fear of heights, but for some reason I think it would be exciting to go up in a balloon.
Photographic hot air balloons is a photographers. What other event guarantees great weather during the golden hour of perfect light with brilliant colors, patterns and flames?
Since they moved the balloon festival from mid-June to mid-July, we’re almost always guaranteed good weather for this event. When it was in June, the weather almost never cooperated.
I’ve been to an annual hot air balloon festival in Tigard, OR twice. Also, last year they had one at the Evergreen Space Museum in McMinnville, OR.