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Wildlife, landscape and weather photography

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Hot air balloon and the Rocky Mountains

December 12, 2020 by Tony Leave a Comment

Hot air balloon and the Rocky Mountains
A hot air balloon floats in the skies over Longmont, Colorado with Mount Meeker and Longs Peak in the background. (© Tony’s Takes)

From last Saturday’s photo outing. It was a very calm morning with beautiful weather and that meant the hot air balloons that oftentimes take flight from the Longmont area were in the air.

This one was lagging the others which gave me time to get to a good spot that allowed me to capture the colorful balloon as well as the mountains behind. Mount Meeker is the tall mountain to the right and behind it is Longs Peak.

It has been many years since I have flown in a balloon and I keep telling myself I need to do it again. Truly is an amazing experience if you have never done it.

Flying high on 303 Day

March 3, 2020 by Tony Leave a Comment

Flying high on 303 Day
A hot air balloon with a Colorado design floats across the sky.(© Tony’s Takes)

Longtime residents of Colorado know that 303 is the original area code for the Centennial State. We have since added three more but 303 is still the one most folks prefer to have and most-associated with the state.

It is somewhat of a badge of honor to have a phone number with the original area code. Today, March 3rd – 3/03 – is a day set to celebrate all things Colorado.

No doubt some marketing person somewhere along the line put the numbers together and thought it was a cool idea to have #303Day. It is kind of silly but also fun and an opportunity to show the pride we have in our home state.

This capture dates back to October 2018 and is one of a series I took of this way cool hot air balloon as it floated aloft. I’ve shared some of those other images, but this is one I haven’t made public before.

Colorado balloon and North Arapaho Peak

October 24, 2019 by Tony Leave a Comment

Colorado balloon and North Arapaho Peak
A hot air balloon looking like a Colorado flag flies in front of the Rocky Mountains. (© Tony’s Takes)

With a fresh snow blanketing the Colorado Front Range and Rocky Mountains this morning, I am remembering back to this series of images taken almost exactly one year ago today.

My photo drive that day had been pretty much a dud and I was getting ready to head for home. I happened across this gorgeous hot air balloon floating along the plains with the snow-covered mountains behind. The design on the balloon was perfect for the scene – art imitating life as it were.

I have one of the images from that morning on my wall in my office now. You should too!

Hot air balloon over the Rocky Mountains

October 19, 2019 by Tony Leave a Comment

Hot air balloon over the Rocky Mountains
A hot air balloon floats in the air in front of the Rocky Mountains. (© Tony’s Takes)

A shot I took a month ago but had neglected to share. I was near Longmont, Colorado when this balloon set up perfectly. In the background, Mount Meeker and Longs Peak. With recent weather and what is arriving today, those peaks will be coated in white and likely remain that way until spring.

Labor Day Liftoff!

September 2, 2019 by Tony Leave a Comment

A gorgeous sunset behind
A gorgeous sunset behind “Buzzy.” (© Tony’s Takes)

On a whim, my wife and I headed south to Colorado Springs for their annual hot air balloon event.

Last night was the balloon glow and while the balloons don’t leave the ground, they put on a pretty cool show, especially when coupled with a gorgeous sunset.

Then, this morning, the balloons took flight not long after dawn. I took a ridiculous number of pictures and will share some more later but here is a batch of them.

Hot air balloons light up at the balloon glow at Colorado Springs' Labor Day Liftoff. (© Tony’s Takes)
Hot air balloons light up at the balloon glow at Colorado Springs’ Labor Day Liftoff. (© Tony’s Takes)
The
The “Spirit of ’76”. (© Tony’s Takes)
Labor Day Liftoff!
Hot air balloons take flight at the Colorado Springs Labor Day Liftoff. (© Tony’s Takes)
“Twilight Zone” and “Guilty” (© Tony’s Takes)
“Kermie the Frog.” (© Tony’s Takes)
Balloons take to the sky at Memorial Park in Colorado Springs, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
Balloons take to the sky at Memorial Park in Colorado Springs, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
“Oggy the Friendly Dragon” and “Marv’n the Martian” (© Tony’s Takes)
“Russ Buss” above the water. (© Tony’s Takes)

The Centennial State’s flag flying high above the Rocky Mountains

October 24, 2018 by Tony

The Centennial State’s flag flying high above the Rocky Mountains
A hot air balloon adorned in a Colorado flag style flies high with the Rocky Mountains below. (© Tony’s Takes)

The Centennial State’s flag flying high above the Rocky Mountains. One more from the series of this cool balloon that I captured this past week. It was an absolutely gorgeous fall day and the skies, my goodness, just crystal clear along the Front Range.

I posted a closer view earlier today so check it out if you missed it. I had the privilege of flying in a hot air balloon one time at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta – such an amazing experience and I would highly recommend it. I’m trying to convince my wife we need to go but she is scared of heights and a bit unsure. 😉

Interested in owning this image?  See here.

When art (or a hot air balloon) reflects nature

October 23, 2018 by Tony

When art (or a hot air balloon) reflects nature
A hot air balloon adorned in a Colorado flag style flies in front of the Rocky Mountains. (© Tony’s Takes)

Now THIS is Colorado. 😉 My photo drive Sunday was far less than fruitful but this scene helped make up for it.

I happened to see the famous Colorado balloon north of Denver set out in pursuit. I spent more than an hour capturing pics of it as it floated above with the snow-capped Rocky Mountains behind. The images are a great reminder of why I love the Centennial State so much.

One of the photos from the series is definitely going to end up on my office or home wall. It would look great on yours too – see here.

Colorado’s Rocky Mountains and a Centennial State balloon

September 26, 2018 by Tony Leave a Comment

Colorado’s Rocky Mountains and a Centennial State balloon
Kind of a fun image I captured this past weekend. I was wrapping up my photo drive when I saw a number of hot air balloons descending in the north Denver metro area. Unfortunately this guy was coming down pretty quickly so I couldn’t get myself closer and in a better position. Nevertheless, it makes for a cool capture even if not the best quality.

Sights of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

October 6, 2015 by Tony Leave a Comment

From 2004 to 2006 I spent the first week of October in Albuquerque, New Mexico at the annual Balloon Fiesta. The event is absolutely amazing and one that you truly have to see to appreciate. Hundreds of balloons take flight soon after dawn each morning (weather permitting) in a beautiful display of colors and designs.

Here are some of the pics from the times I was down there – including a couple from when I had the opportunity to fly in one of the balloons. The annual event is going on right now so if you can make it there, I would highly recommend it. ?

Scroll down to view the complete gallery of images.

A mass ascension at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. (© Tony’s Takes)
A mass ascension at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. (© Tony’s Takes)
Balloons light up the pre-dawn sky
Balloons light up the pre-dawn sky
Mass ascension
Mass ascension
Light it up! "The Crew Balloon" prepares for flight
Light it up! "The Crew Balloon" prepares for flight
Mass ascension
Mass ascension
In the air with "The Crew Balloon"
In the air with "The Crew Balloon"
In the air with "The Crew Balloon"
In the air with "The Crew Balloon"
In the air with "The Crew Balloon"
In the air with "The Crew Balloon"
The massive RV parking area at the Balloon Fiesta
The massive RV parking area at the Balloon Fiesta
In the air with "The Crew Balloon"
In the air with "The Crew Balloon"
In the air with "The Crew Balloon"
In the air with "The Crew Balloon"
The Crew Balloon
The Crew Balloon
The Crew Balloon and a few others
The Crew Balloon and a few others
Mass ascension
Mass ascension
Mass ascension
Mass ascension
Smokey
Smokey
Freedom Flight IV
Freedom Flight IV
Spirit of Colorado
Spirit of Colorado
Norman
Norman
Freedom Flight V
Freedom Flight V
Freedom Flight V
Freedom Flight V
Spirit of Colorado
Spirit of Colorado
Mass ascension
Mass ascension
Patriotic balloon
Patriotic balloon
Mass ascension
Mass ascension
Little Bee Lilly and Little Bee Joey
Little Bee Lilly and Little Bee Joey
The Energizer Bunny
The Energizer Bunny
Hot air balloon from below
Hot air balloon from below
Balloons over the RV park
Balloons over the RV park
Sarah the Witch flies over a cemetery
Sarah the Witch flies over a cemetery
Off the Wall
Off the Wall
The Eagle Balloon
The Eagle Balloon
The Eagle Balloon
The Eagle Balloon
Sea Fantasy
Sea Fantasy
Airabelle, The Flying Cow
Airabelle, The Flying Cow
Little Bee Lilly and Little Bee Joey
Little Bee Lilly and Little Bee Joey
America One
America One

Light ‘em up!

September 10, 2015 by Tony Leave a Comment

After my parents retired they volunteered at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta for a number of years.  Three years in a row I went down and spent a few days watching as these beautiful craft took to the skies.

If you ever get a chance to go, I would highly recommend it.  It is held the first full week of October each year so it is coming up soon.

The main image below was taken in 2004 as the balloonists readied for the mass ascension.  Scroll down to view some of the images I took the times I attended the event.

Hot air balloons are illuminated with the flame from their burners just before pre-dawn at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.  (© Tony’s Takes)
Hot air balloons are illuminated with the flame from their burners just before pre-dawn at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. (© Tony’s Takes)
Balloons light up the pre-dawn sky
Balloons light up the pre-dawn sky
Mass ascension
Mass ascension
Light it up! "The Crew Balloon" prepares for flight
Light it up! "The Crew Balloon" prepares for flight
Mass ascension
Mass ascension
In the air with "The Crew Balloon"
In the air with "The Crew Balloon"
In the air with "The Crew Balloon"
In the air with "The Crew Balloon"
In the air with "The Crew Balloon"
In the air with "The Crew Balloon"
The massive RV parking area at the Balloon Fiesta
The massive RV parking area at the Balloon Fiesta
In the air with "The Crew Balloon"
In the air with "The Crew Balloon"
In the air with "The Crew Balloon"
In the air with "The Crew Balloon"
The Crew Balloon
The Crew Balloon
The Crew Balloon and a few others
The Crew Balloon and a few others
Mass ascension
Mass ascension
Mass ascension
Mass ascension
Smokey
Smokey
Freedom Flight IV
Freedom Flight IV
Spirit of Colorado
Spirit of Colorado
Norman
Norman
Freedom Flight V
Freedom Flight V
Freedom Flight V
Freedom Flight V
Spirit of Colorado
Spirit of Colorado
Mass ascension
Mass ascension
Patriotic balloon
Patriotic balloon
Mass ascension
Mass ascension
Little Bee Lilly and Little Bee Joey
Little Bee Lilly and Little Bee Joey
The Energizer Bunny
The Energizer Bunny
Hot air balloon from below
Hot air balloon from below
Balloons over the RV park
Balloons over the RV park
Sarah the Witch flies over a cemetery
Sarah the Witch flies over a cemetery
Off the Wall
Off the Wall
The Eagle Balloon
The Eagle Balloon
The Eagle Balloon
The Eagle Balloon
Sea Fantasy
Sea Fantasy
Airabelle, The Flying Cow
Airabelle, The Flying Cow
Little Bee Lilly and Little Bee Joey
Little Bee Lilly and Little Bee Joey
America One
America One

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  • Rough-legged hawk gives a farewell flyby
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  • Be careful! You’ll poke an eye out with that thing!”
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