The end of June always brings some excitement into town.  It brings the annual balloon rally or balloonfest.  It’s a chance to wake up extra early and make my way out to the farm field launch site to take pictures of the balloons in all stages of the journey.  2023 was no exception.  I made it out there once again and came back with some new hot air balloon photos to share.

This event typically hosts many balloons with their teams.  The exact balloons seem to vary year to year.  I’ve seen repeats and new balloons I’ve never seen before.

Typically, there are 3 separate launches.  The first launch didn’t happen because of high elevation winds which would pose a danger to the balloons and their passengers.  This meant that I waited for the second launch to attempt some photos.  Thankfully, the second day was pleasant weather-wise.  The bright sun right in my face made things a bit interesting.  It created the harsh direct light which I dread as a landscape photographer.  Still, I must take what I can get.  Not every launch will provide the kinds of conditions which 2020 did.  Check out this year’s batch of flying hot air balloons through my camera lens.

This may not be my normal volume of hot air balloon photos from a balloon rally.  However, I was trying something different this time which didn’t pan out for me.  I wanted some photos of the balloons flying over the wheel line sprinklers irrigating.  But that necessitated me basically shooting into the sun.  Things didn’t work out, as previously stated.  Still, I think it was worth the attempt.

In addition to the morning launches, there is the street party and the balloon glow or candle-lighting.  Since they line the balloons up on Main Street, the wind dictates whether or not the balloons will inflate for the glow or will merely shoot jets of flame as a candle-lighting.

This year was an excellent year for the glow as all but seemingly one balloon went up.  I didn’t have a chance to check everything like I wanted, but I did see many of the balloons up.  In fact, here’s a couple photos from the glow.

In conclusion, this was another successful balloonfest or balloon rally in Panguitch.  I captured some beautiful new images to add to my portfolio.  So, now I’ll turn things over to you.  What do you think of these new hot air balloon photos?  Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.