Lloyd, that is a superb shot!
Lloyd, and what an amazing shot indeed!
Colors, composition, light, movement... fantastic!
Now we're curious to hear (and see) more about this experience...
Lloyd, Oh! there you are. We were looking on the ground!!
What can I say. Super-glorious shot!:salute:
Now for the story, please.
Thank you.
Thank you all, gentlemen.
Here's the story (short version):
Mimi has a friend she met 3 or 4 years ago through a professional association to which they both belong. They discovered they are both runners, so they began running together when the opportunity presented. About a year ago, they got together on the weekend for a long run, and during the course of the run, her friend, Maria, mentioned that she and her husband, Karl, enjoy hot air ballooning. We thought that was interesting, but that was all there was to it at the time.
About a month ago, we were invited to their home for dinner. Their house is full of pictures of hot air balloons, and it turns out that the husband has been a balloon pilot for nearly 30 years, and for over 10 years was the head of the balloon program for Wells Fargo Bank. He flew their themed balloons (which he designed... the stagecoach, the piggy bank, etc.) at events all over the country; traveling on average more than 300 days per year. He also ran the themed balloon event at the
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta for more than a decade.
So, long story short, they have their own balloon, and this past weekend invited us along. They involved us in every aspect of the process, from set up to takedown. We were in the sky for the sunrise, Mimi and I flying with Karl for more than an hour. (I have to say, that taking your first balloon flight with one of the most experienced pilots in the world adds a certain level of comfort.
) It was a lot of fun, and we're looking forward to going again.
So that's it in a nutshell. Here are a few more pictures (all with the D3s/14-24/2.8 combo):
Mimi and a friend holding open "the throat", while the balloon is inflated by a fan:
Maria pulling the balloon open so it can fully inflate:
The view from the inside: