30 April 2015

The first balloon

Last Sunday morning I took the dog out for our walk at about 7:30. As soon as we stepped out the back door, Callie looked over her shoulder toward the sky and went wild barking. I couldn't get her to stop. Why does that always seem to happen on Sunday mornings, when I think the neighbors are trying to sleep late?


What was the cause this time? Often it's the moon. But no, this was worse. It was a hot-air balloon — the first one of 2015. In a minute or two, I was looking directly up into it. It was floating over the house, not very high up and basically from east to west. That meant Callie and I had to walk along under it out into the vineyard.


Walk? Did I say walk? She ran. She barked and howled. She disappeared into the distance. In a minute or two, she was far enough from the houses that I felt sure she wasn't bothering any late sleepers. I could hear other dogs barking all around the area. We watched the balloon disappear behind some trees over the horizon after five or ten minutes. It was moving at a pretty brisk pace.


I was surprised to see a montgolfière on such an unsettled morning. It's true there wasn't much wind at ground level, but big clouds were rolling in from the west. Some were passing to the north of us, but some headed right at us. Predictions were for stormy weather. Usually, balloons go by when the wind is perfectly still and the sky is crystal clear. We'll be seeing a lot more balloons as spring turns into summer.

9 comments:

  1. 7.30am on a Sunday is a bit antisocial. I thought there were rules about that kind of thing.

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    1. I'm not sure such rules apply to professionals, but only to private citizens. The professionals have to do the work when they can, according to the weather. For example, sometimes there are people operating harvesters out in the vineyard until past midnight, or very early in the morning. They have to make a living. Besides, the balloons don't make much noise — the dogs do. I guess we should keep our dogs indoors until the balloon passes over.

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  2. The balloon seems so close, the benefit of the new camera I guess.

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  3. That really is an incredible shot of the balloon, so close. Great one, Ken!
    It cracks me up when I read about Callie's montgolfière issues :)

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  4. Poor Callie! Is she frightened by the balloon or just excited? Great photos.

    Btw, years ago you and I had the same camera, by accident, and since then I have changed cameras each time you have. Thanks for all the research you've saved me, I've really liked each camera you've chosen! :)

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  5. Judy and BettyAnn, it's not just Callie. It's all dogs. Our neighbors' dogs behave the same way. I don't know if it's fear, excitement, or what. Callie is pretty much the same way about the moon — that's her special craziness.

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    1. Ken, I think it might be excitement....
      my BC used to love fireworks...
      wasn't worried by them at all...
      rockets were his favourite...
      he'd look out of the window as one went up and would "woof" at different volumes as it burst....
      if it was a simple starburst... he'd give a low woof as if disappointed....
      if it was a good one he'd bark and bounce up and down on his front legs [back legs were usually on the settee!]...
      my first wife and I took him to a display once....
      where we knew we'd be able to take him indoors if he showed any sign of being scared...
      he wasn't at all.... he seemed to like the Roman Candles best of all....
      sat there with his head on one side giving little low woofs...
      and a couple of loud barks when it stopped...
      he was a little crazy too, tho'....
      very much into heavy metal music!!
      If I had it on in the car...
      all I'd see in the rear view mirror was...
      a sheepdog head....
      with lolling tongue!!

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  6. I've been in a hot air balloon one time; the sound track was barking dogs.

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