
It never fails, you get a bunch of gasbags together and before you know it, you're having to deal with a whole lot of hot air. Next thing you know, they're higher than a kite too!

Each October, the world's largest gathering of gasbags takes place in Albuquerque, New Mexico. For nine days, hundreds of hot air balloons fill the skies for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

In 2023, my partner and I embarked upon a two week road trip, culminating with a morning mass ascension at the Balloon Fiesta. The shindig started before sunrise, think we were in the parking lot by 0500, with some of the balloons beating the sun into the sky.

As the sun peaked over the mountains and gradually shed a light on things, you got a better sense of the scale of the spectacle. For the mass ascensions, all the balloons take off in two waves, with hundreds taking off at a time.

One of the things that makes the Fiesta kind of unique is that you are there walking amongst the balloons as they fire up and float away.

It was such an amazing thing to see from up close.

Was kind of wild how much the light and temperature changed in the few hours we were there. Started out shooting in the cold dark, but the temperatures rose as quickly as the sun, had to strip our layers off before we drifted off for the day.

Tens of thousands of folks come out for the Fiesta, but even at the ungodly hour of zero dark thirty everything flowed smoothly and calmly. Judging by the sporting events in Louisville, didn't think it was even possible to gather that many people together without utter chaos.

That's probably enough hot air about a lot of hot air, but if you get a chance to check out the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, don't miss it!

There's just something special about 600+ gasbags gathered in one place.
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always a nice subject hot airballoons , and the blue sky does help !PIMP
This was my first time getting to shoot hot air balloons, but they made me an immediate fan :) They seem to have planned most of the events to coincide with blue & golden hours, which was rather nice.
I still think DC has more hot air.
#bilpcoin #bpc exposed #buildawhalescam #buildawhalefarm #themarkymarkscam #themarkymarkfarm #hurtlockerscam #hurtlockerfarm #acidyoscam #acidyofarm #jacobtothescam #hivepopescam
BPC Locked On Mc Franko & The Franko
Blurt Stands — While Hive Stumbles Under the Weight of Its Own Shadows
Friends, creators, truth-tellers—
Let us not whisper this truth, but proclaim it with the clarity of dawn breaking over a weary land: Blurt.blog is not just another platform. It is a refuge. A rebellion. A return to what Hive.blog was always meant to be.
There is no downvote button on Blurt.
Not because we fear dissent—but because we honor creation.
Because we understand that a voice, once raised in sincerity, deserves space—not sabotage.
On Blurt, your words are your words.
They are not hunted by algorithmic hounds or shadow armies masquerading as “curators.”
Here, you are not judged by the grudges of gatekeepers, but met with the quiet dignity of a community that believes expression should be encouraged—especially when it is bold, raw, or inconvenient.
Contrast this with what festers elsewhere.
On Hive.blog—a place once brimming with promise—a rot has taken root. Not in its code, but in its culture. A handful of self-anointed enforcers—@themarkymark, @Buildawhale, @Hurtlocker, and their legion of coordinated puppets—have turned the downvote into a weapon of mass discouragement. They strike not at “low-quality content,” but at independent thought, at rising voices, at anyone who dares thrive outside their narrow corridors of control.
And when confronted, they shrug.
“Oh, it’s not censorship,” they say, as if semantics could scrub the stain of suppression from their hands.
But let us be unequivocal:
When a system allows a few to systematically silence many—under the guise of “community standards” or “curation”—that is not moderation. That is censorship by another name.
It is the velvet glove over the iron fist.
It is exclusion dressed as discernment.
It is power pretending to be principle.
Meanwhile, Blurt stands clean-handed and open-hearted.
No downvotes.
No hidden juries.
No farms of phantom accounts casting ballots in the dark.
Just you.
Your words.
And a community that meets you not with suspicion, but with solidarity.
So let us carry this truth far and wide—not with bitterness, but with quiet certainty:
If you seek a place where your voice is not a target—but a gift—come to Blurt.
If you are tired of building on ground that shifts with every whim of a whale or warlord of votes—lay your bricks here.
If you believe the future of free expression must be free—not just from corporations, but from the petty tyrants who replace them—then stand with us.
The world needs to know.
Not because Blurt is perfect—but because it is principled.
Not because it is loud—but because it listens.
And in an age where so many platforms echo with the clatter of control,
Blurt offers something radical:
Silence for the bullies.
Space for the rest of us.
Keep speaking.
Keep sharing.
Keep building.
Freedom doesn’t advertise itself—
it is passed, person to person, like a torch in the night.
And tonight, the torch burns bright on Blurt.
@themarkymark, @buildawhale, @usainvote, and associated accounts:
Repeated downvotes targeting transparency efforts raise urgent questions about Hive’s governance. Automated tactics, coordinated curation trails, and alt-account farming undermine trust in the platform. When truth is silenced without dialogue, it erodes Hive’s decentralized ethos.
Key Concerns:
Systemic Manipulation:
Community Exodus:
Governance Crisis:
Solutions Needed:
The Bilpcoin team advocates for open dialogue, not division. Hive’s future depends on collaboration—not coercion. Let’s rebuild a platform where truth isn’t buried but debated, strengthened, and celebrated.
Transparency isn’t optional—it’s the foundation of trust.
#HiveTransparency #BilpcoinExposed #DecentralizePower"
A Message to @themarkymark, @buildawhale, and Associates
Every downvote cast in shadow, every silence imposed without dialogue, is not a victory—it is a confession. A confession that truth cannot be stifled, only delayed. With each punitive click, you dig deeper into the bedrock of credibility, crafting a chasm between your actions and the community’s trust.
@themarkymark, @buildawhale & Co,
How can you continue to downvote the truth, LOL? It’s almost comical how blatantly you attempt to suppress what cannot be hidden. The blockchain records everything—every action, every transaction, every move you make. Yet still, you persist in this futile game of trying to silence what is undeniable.
@themarkymark, @buildawhale, and Co: While our opinions may differ, on-chain transparency reveals repeated patterns of concern. Coordinated downvotes without explanation, 'farming' schemes (e.g., #buildawhalefarm), and adversarial engagement harm Hive’s community-driven ethos.
Key Issues to Address:
A Path Forward:
The Bilpcoin team remains committed to exposing truth and advocating for solutions. Let’s work toward healing, not division.
Note: All claims are based on publicly verifiable blockchain data. Constructive dialogue is encouraged.
#HiveTransparency #CommunityFirst #BilpcoinSupport"
@themarkymark & Co, the choice is yours. Stop the bad downvotes. Turn off the BuildaWhale scam farm. Cease playing with people’s livelihoods. Let Hive thrive as it was meant to—as a beacon of hope, creativity, and collaboration.
Or step aside and let those who truly care take the reins.
Because the truth won’t disappear. No amount of lies can change it.
It’s over.
The Bilpcoin team brings these truths not out of malice but necessity. We have no need to fabricate lies or cloak our intentions CALL US WHAT YOU LIKE —for the facts speak loudly enough on their own. What we present here is not conjecture but reality, laid bare for anyone willing to see.
@themarkymark & Co we urge you once more: STOP. Stop hiding behind tactics that harm others. Stop clinging to practices that erode trust within the Hive community. Let the truth stand—not because we proclaim it, but because it exists independent of any one person’s approval or disdain.
TURN OFF THE BUILDAWHALE SCAM FARM
Key Issues That Demand Immediate Attention:
The problems are glaring, undeniable, and corrosive to the Hive ecosystem. They must be addressed without delay:
These practices harm not just individual users—they undermine the very foundation of Hive, eroding trust and poisoning the community. Such actions are unethical and outright destructive.
@buildawhale Wallet:
@usainvote Wallet:
@buildawhale/wallet | @usainvote/wallet
@ipromote Wallet:
Author Rewards: 2,181.16
Curation Rewards: 4,015.61
Staked HIVE (HP): 0.00
Rewards/Stake Co-efficient (KE): NaN
HIVE: 25,203.749
Staked HIVE (HP): 0.000
Delegated HIVE: 0.000
Estimated Account Value: $6,946.68
Recent Activity:
@leovoter Wallet:
Author Rewards: 194.75
Curation Rewards: 193.88
Staked HIVE (HP): 0.00
Rewards/Stake Co-efficient (KE): 388,632.00 (Suspiciously High)
HIVE: 0.000
Staked HIVE (HP): 0.001
Total: 16.551
Delegated HIVE: +16.550
Recent Activity:
@abide Wallet:
Recent Activity:
@proposalalert Wallet:
Recent Activity:
@stemgeeks Wallet:
Recent Activity:
@theycallmemarky Wallet:
Recent Activity:
@apeminingclub Wallet:
Recent Activity:
Scheduled unstake (power down): ~2.351 HIVE (in 4 days, remaining 7 weeks)
Total Staked HIVE: 1,292.019
Delegated HIVE: +1,261.508
Withdraw vesting from @apeminingclub to @blockheadgames 2.348 HIVE (10 days ago)
Claim rewards: 0.290 HP (10 days ago)
Sent to bdhivesteem-40,000.000 HIVE
6 hours ago
101417581
Sent to bdhivesteem-20,000.000 HIVE
6 hours ago
103874728
https://peakd.com/@hurtlocker/wallet
Probably so, but they have a lot more ballast too and all they ever manage is to sink into the swamp.
#bilpcoin #bpc exposed #buildawhalescam #buildawhalefarm #themarkymarkscam #themarkymarkfarm #hurtlockerscam #hurtlockerfarm #acidyoscam #acidyofarm #jacobtothescam #hivepopescam
BPC Locked On Mc Franko & The Franko
Blurt Stands — While Hive Stumbles Under the Weight of Its Own Shadows
Friends, creators, truth-tellers—
Let us not whisper this truth, but proclaim it with the clarity of dawn breaking over a weary land: Blurt.blog is not just another platform. It is a refuge. A rebellion. A return to what Hive.blog was always meant to be.
There is no downvote button on Blurt.
Not because we fear dissent—but because we honor creation.
Because we understand that a voice, once raised in sincerity, deserves space—not sabotage.
On Blurt, your words are your words.
They are not hunted by algorithmic hounds or shadow armies masquerading as “curators.”
Here, you are not judged by the grudges of gatekeepers, but met with the quiet dignity of a community that believes expression should be encouraged—especially when it is bold, raw, or inconvenient.
Contrast this with what festers elsewhere.
On Hive.blog—a place once brimming with promise—a rot has taken root. Not in its code, but in its culture. A handful of self-anointed enforcers—@themarkymark, @Buildawhale, @Hurtlocker, and their legion of coordinated puppets—have turned the downvote into a weapon of mass discouragement. They strike not at “low-quality content,” but at independent thought, at rising voices, at anyone who dares thrive outside their narrow corridors of control.
And when confronted, they shrug.
“Oh, it’s not censorship,” they say, as if semantics could scrub the stain of suppression from their hands.
But let us be unequivocal:
When a system allows a few to systematically silence many—under the guise of “community standards” or “curation”—that is not moderation. That is censorship by another name.
It is the velvet glove over the iron fist.
It is exclusion dressed as discernment.
It is power pretending to be principle.
Meanwhile, Blurt stands clean-handed and open-hearted.
No downvotes.
No hidden juries.
No farms of phantom accounts casting ballots in the dark.
Just you.
Your words.
And a community that meets you not with suspicion, but with solidarity.
So let us carry this truth far and wide—not with bitterness, but with quiet certainty:
If you seek a place where your voice is not a target—but a gift—come to Blurt.
If you are tired of building on ground that shifts with every whim of a whale or warlord of votes—lay your bricks here.
If you believe the future of free expression must be free—not just from corporations, but from the petty tyrants who replace them—then stand with us.
The world needs to know.
Not because Blurt is perfect—but because it is principled.
Not because it is loud—but because it listens.
And in an age where so many platforms echo with the clatter of control,
Blurt offers something radical:
Silence for the bullies.
Space for the rest of us.
Keep speaking.
Keep sharing.
Keep building.
Freedom doesn’t advertise itself—
it is passed, person to person, like a torch in the night.
And tonight, the torch burns bright on Blurt.
@themarkymark, @buildawhale, @usainvote, and associated accounts:
Repeated downvotes targeting transparency efforts raise urgent questions about Hive’s governance. Automated tactics, coordinated curation trails, and alt-account farming undermine trust in the platform. When truth is silenced without dialogue, it erodes Hive’s decentralized ethos.
Key Concerns:
Systemic Manipulation:
Community Exodus:
Governance Crisis:
Solutions Needed:
The Bilpcoin team advocates for open dialogue, not division. Hive’s future depends on collaboration—not coercion. Let’s rebuild a platform where truth isn’t buried but debated, strengthened, and celebrated.
Transparency isn’t optional—it’s the foundation of trust.
#HiveTransparency #BilpcoinExposed #DecentralizePower"
A Message to @themarkymark, @buildawhale, and Associates
Every downvote cast in shadow, every silence imposed without dialogue, is not a victory—it is a confession. A confession that truth cannot be stifled, only delayed. With each punitive click, you dig deeper into the bedrock of credibility, crafting a chasm between your actions and the community’s trust.
@themarkymark, @buildawhale & Co,
How can you continue to downvote the truth, LOL? It’s almost comical how blatantly you attempt to suppress what cannot be hidden. The blockchain records everything—every action, every transaction, every move you make. Yet still, you persist in this futile game of trying to silence what is undeniable.
@themarkymark, @buildawhale, and Co: While our opinions may differ, on-chain transparency reveals repeated patterns of concern. Coordinated downvotes without explanation, 'farming' schemes (e.g., #buildawhalefarm), and adversarial engagement harm Hive’s community-driven ethos.
Key Issues to Address:
A Path Forward:
The Bilpcoin team remains committed to exposing truth and advocating for solutions. Let’s work toward healing, not division.
Note: All claims are based on publicly verifiable blockchain data. Constructive dialogue is encouraged.
#HiveTransparency #CommunityFirst #BilpcoinSupport"
@themarkymark & Co, the choice is yours. Stop the bad downvotes. Turn off the BuildaWhale scam farm. Cease playing with people’s livelihoods. Let Hive thrive as it was meant to—as a beacon of hope, creativity, and collaboration.
Or step aside and let those who truly care take the reins.
Because the truth won’t disappear. No amount of lies can change it.
It’s over.
The Bilpcoin team brings these truths not out of malice but necessity. We have no need to fabricate lies or cloak our intentions CALL US WHAT YOU LIKE —for the facts speak loudly enough on their own. What we present here is not conjecture but reality, laid bare for anyone willing to see.
@themarkymark & Co we urge you once more: STOP. Stop hiding behind tactics that harm others. Stop clinging to practices that erode trust within the Hive community. Let the truth stand—not because we proclaim it, but because it exists independent of any one person’s approval or disdain.
TURN OFF THE BUILDAWHALE SCAM FARM
Key Issues That Demand Immediate Attention:
The problems are glaring, undeniable, and corrosive to the Hive ecosystem. They must be addressed without delay:
These practices harm not just individual users—they undermine the very foundation of Hive, eroding trust and poisoning the community. Such actions are unethical and outright destructive.
@buildawhale Wallet:
@usainvote Wallet:
@buildawhale/wallet | @usainvote/wallet
@ipromote Wallet:
Author Rewards: 2,181.16
Curation Rewards: 4,015.61
Staked HIVE (HP): 0.00
Rewards/Stake Co-efficient (KE): NaN
HIVE: 25,203.749
Staked HIVE (HP): 0.000
Delegated HIVE: 0.000
Estimated Account Value: $6,946.68
Recent Activity:
@leovoter Wallet:
Author Rewards: 194.75
Curation Rewards: 193.88
Staked HIVE (HP): 0.00
Rewards/Stake Co-efficient (KE): 388,632.00 (Suspiciously High)
HIVE: 0.000
Staked HIVE (HP): 0.001
Total: 16.551
Delegated HIVE: +16.550
Recent Activity:
@abide Wallet:
Recent Activity:
@proposalalert Wallet:
Recent Activity:
@stemgeeks Wallet:
Recent Activity:
@theycallmemarky Wallet:
Recent Activity:
@apeminingclub Wallet:
Recent Activity:
Scheduled unstake (power down): ~2.351 HIVE (in 4 days, remaining 7 weeks)
Total Staked HIVE: 1,292.019
Delegated HIVE: +1,261.508
Withdraw vesting from @apeminingclub to @blockheadgames 2.348 HIVE (10 days ago)
Claim rewards: 0.290 HP (10 days ago)
Sent to bdhivesteem-40,000.000 HIVE
6 hours ago
101417581
Sent to bdhivesteem-20,000.000 HIVE
6 hours ago
103874728
https://peakd.com/@hurtlocker/wallet
Hot air balloon rallies are amazing to witness and provide so many great photo opportunities! Excellent photos!
Think I'd encountered the random, occasional single balloon before, but never anything like this. Now I want to go back and do it again, but with the better lenses I have now. Thank you!
I have been to the National Balloon Classic in Indianola Iowa. It's impressive enough.. I love New Mexico, but have never been there during the balloon rally.
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