White Sands NM

Orbs attend Hot Air Ballooning at White Sands, New Mexico

white_sands_hot_air_balloons_1_cheyenne_macmasters-800x600

This is the scene a week ago today at 5:30 a.m. in White Sands, New Mexico. Most of us awoke to alarm clocks at 3:45 a.m. (that’s 2:45 a.m. if you’re still on Arizona time, but who’s counting?).

white_sands_hot_air_balloons_2_cheyenne_macmasters-800x600

Families are already gathered to have some fun sliding down the gypsum dunes. The bright light in the upper left is the full moon.

white_sands_hot_air_balloons_3_cheyenne_macmasters-800x600

Saluting the dawn.

white_air_balloons_4_cheyenne_macmasters-800x600

Hot Air Balloon pilots and their crews gather to hear the latest weather reports and restrictions when flying over White Sands.

white_sands_hot_air_balloons_5_cheyenne_macmasters-800x600

Three  biodegradable pie balls are released for the pilots’ reading of the wind.

white_sands_hot_air_balloons_7_cheyenne_macmasters-800x600

And, the show  begins.

white_sands_hot_air_balloons_8_cheyenne_macmasters-600x800

white_sands_hot_air_balloons_9_cheyenne_macmasters-800x600

Too windy for the blue and white balloon.

white_sands_hot_air_balloons_9a_cheyenne_macmasters-800x600

white_sands_hot_air_balloons_9b_cheyenne_macmasters-800x600

We’ll be taking off now.

white_sands_hot_air_balloons_9c_cheyenne_macmasters-800x600

Time to get to work. My pilot has been watching the balloons on this windy day, not all were able to ascend. But he’s decided we can get ready for flight. In my next post I’ll be chasing the Blue Moon.

All photos (c) Cheyenne MacMasters 2016

Orbs Flock to Hot Air Balloon Glow

hot_air_balloon-orbs_1_cheyenne_macmasters-800x600

Orbs attend Hot Air Balloon Glow in Alamogordo, New Mexico.

If you’ve learned anything about orbs since following my blog, you know they love a party.

hot_air_balloon_orbs_2_cheyenne_macmasters-800x600

And, that’s what the 25th Annual White Sands Hot Air Balloon Invitational put on for the city of Alamogordo, New Mexico last Saturday night.

hot_air_balloon_orbs_3_cheyenne_macmasters-800x600

hot_air_balloon_orbs_4_cheyenne_macmasters-800x600

hot_air_balloon_orbs_5_cheyenne_macmasters-800x600

hot_air-balloon_orbs_6_cheyenne_macmasters-800x600

Clouds of orbs blocked the view of hot air balloons rising above the park.

hot_air_balloon_orbs_7_cheyenne_macmasters-800x703

See you at White Sands for the mass ascent of the hot air balloons in tomorrow’s post.

All photos (c) Cheyenne MacMasters 2016

Balloons: Orbs of a different color

After night it is a relief to see day, and so for this post I thought I’d lighten it up a bit with those other orbs in my life: hot air balloons.

Sun washes over us after arriving at the field before dawn.

Hot air ballooning brings out the whole family to share the excitement of sending a balloon aloft.

The roar of fire adds to the intensity of the moment.

Everyone has a camera to record the novelty of balloons above White Sands.

Even with the occasional blast of flame, there is something very peaceful about ballooning.

Pilots don’t like to fly too high at White Sands just in case they land in a missile range.

So, you’ll see the balloons hugging the ground and skimming overhead.

Sometimes you’ll be flying above the crowd.

Or, you may be chasing your balloon hither and yon.

We are back to the night when orbs glow in the dark.  Orbs of a different color.