Monday, July 13, 2009

My World Tuesday #40 - Fearless Flyers & Others

One of the big events around here each year is the Arlington Fly-In. Every July for five days, the skies are busy with aircraft of many shapes and sizes.

Working across the street from the airport, I hear their practice sessions in the days leading up to the airshow. I'm not able to see much, but I know they are having fun.

On Saturday, we parked in the lot at work with the two dogs in the back of the truck and watched the afternoon's show. It was a nice warm day, a bit on the breezy side, and not a cloud in the sky...except for the ones made by the flyers.

Rennie Price and his Russian built Sukhoi SU-29

Royal Canadian Air Force Plane

Ken Fowler & Eric Hansen

How do you describe this flying position?

Bud & Ross Granley were perhaps my favorites. Two different aircraft, yet their synchronization and close flying skills were amazing. I was enthralled by their performance.

Brothers at Play

I drove back to the airport later in the evening for the Hot Air Balloon Night Glow. I imagined an evening launch with the balloons glowing in the night sky. Was I going to be pleasantly surprised!

I found a nice spot across the runway from where the balloons where scheduled to be and set up the camera. While waiting for the sun to set, Mother Nature put on her own display with lightning streaking across the western sky.

We rarely have lightning in Western Washington. This was fun to watch but hard to capture with the camera. I just wasn't fast enough. I captured one picture with a little bit of lightning squiggle, but it wasn't worthy of posting.

Around 9:30 pm, five balloons began to take shape. They remained tethered to the ground as each filled with warm air.

Taking Shape

Then wham! The balloons glowed as the burners were fired. Oh, what a wondrous sight to behold! I felt like a little kid again.

Evening Enchantment

I was mesmerized as they took turns lighting up their balloons, sometimes in a pattern, at other times seemingly randomly, and then all together. You can bet I will go again next year, hopefully better trained in nighttime photography to capture the beauty of this evening glow.

Beauty at Night

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18 comments:

James said...

That looks so fun, and the pictures are amazing. Thanks for reminding me about a night balloon festival around me at the end of this month.

Sylvia K said...

Oh, how fun! And what fabulous shots you got! I love the balloons! One of the most fun times I've ever had was a balloon flight over the wine country in CA! These shots brought back lots of fun memories!

Martha Z said...

Those ballons are beautiful and I suspect a lot quieter than the planes.

erin said...

the balloons are beautiful. great captures sally and the plane captures are fab as well.
thanks for sharing your photos with us.
i so enjoyed.

marcia@joyismygoal said...

This has got to be my favorite post of the day the planes always look scary to me and the air balloons are just stunning

poefusion said...

What a great event. I haven't been lucky enough to see an air show yet but we have a Hot Air Balloon Race Festival here in Maysville, KY. It's going on its third year. The first year it was presented I was able to see the whole event from start to finish. The balloon glow you mention here- we had one too. I got some pictures if you'd like to see mine. Here's the link "Balloon Race" if you'd like to stop by.

Your pictures are great, btw. Hope all is well. Have a wonderful day.

Jane Hards Photography said...

Those glowing balloons are just fabulous. Totally mesmerised by them.

Janie said...

Great flying shots, and I just love the balloons all lit up. Beautiful and impressive.

Kathie Brown said...

Well, those balloon shots are already outstanding! It cetainly was an enchanted evening!

allhorsestuff said...

Oh! I loved all the flying machines! And your photo's are wonderful! Thanks for taking us along!
KacyK

ninja said...

Oh My, so where will you try Lech this week? I'm quite intrigued.

SandyCarlson said...

These are just plain amazing. Those balloon shots are real stunners.

Gaelyn said...

Love the glow in, very cool looking with the bright balloon colors. Those two brothers must be good to fly so close together. I'd be holding my breath. Great captures Sally. Hope you do go next year and share with us again.

Arija said...

For someone who has looped the loop im anaerobat this was a terriffic post. Loved the planes but when I saw the balloons, my light was truly lit! What a grand spectacle and great photography!

Ebie said...

Me too, I feel like a kid again watching with you in these spectacular air shows. Next time and next year, I would stay for the night glow of the balloons. I enjoyed this post.

Small City Scenes said...

Hi Sally! I am back from my roadtrip. I missed the Fly-in--sorry to say. Snohomish used to do the Hot Air Balloon Glow. I wonder if they still do. Always a sight. great shots of the planes in the air. MB

DeniseinVA said...

Fantastic! I loved the flying planes but those night-time images of the hot air balloons are incredible. Great photos all of them.

Happily Retired Gal said...

What a fun experience! Thanks for sharing these MARVELOUS photos so we can enjoy it vicariously. They're all WONDERFUL shots!
Hugs and blessings,