This year, the Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon Fiesta attracted over 500 balloonists from around the world. Clearly the most exciting part of the fiesta is the mass ascension when all balloons take off from the fiesta grounds.

On four days, there is flying competition where 200-300 balloonists take flight from some place away from the fiesta grounds. The take off location depends on winds. The point of the competition is to fly over the grounds in order to win prizes by dropping rings on poles, snatching cash envelopes from poles and dropping bean bags on targets.

Our house is located around 3 miles from the fiesta grounds and winds often favor competing balloonists taking off somewhere close by. On these days, the fiesta comes to us. It's like the Macy's Parade coming to your home street.

The first shots are from my backyard. I had the flu this week and didn't wander very far. Didn't have to...

The remainder are from the Fiesta grounds on the last weekend. The first balloons, 10-12 balloons called the Dawn Patrol,take flight before sunrise.

For more hot air balloon photos, check out http://upload.pbase.com/edit_gallery/ken_duckert/travel