The 2009 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta was a magical time--there hundreds (literally. The count was somewhere around 550) of balloons in the air as they lifted off into the dawn, and then early morning.

Once the hot air balloons took off they were on their own--their individual pilots chose their individual fate and the skies, at least for the morning, were theirs to rule. One would think that, with all this freedom, balloons would scatter. But, usually, they stayed in groups as they floated serenely over the city.

This is one grouping shortly after liftoff. This photo is taken facing west; the vestiges of dawn still lay across the ground below, giving it that wonderful rest cast that New Mexico is known for. And not long after this was taken the balloons broke off into their individual paths, heading for parts unknown.