A local community does a balloon launch as part of their Saint Patrick's Day Irish Festival.  I found out about it 30 minutes before it happened and managed to get there with the Phantom just in time.  It's OK for my first attempt at something like this, and there are a lot of places where I "zigged" but should have "zagged".  Still kind of a fun video and I really enjoyed filming it.

I kept waiting for you to get right in the middle of it all.  The balloons, that is.

ALABAMA Posted at 2018-3-17 15:32
I kept waiting for you to get right in the middle of it all.  The balloons, that is.

Yeah, I feel that I was overly cautious on this one.  If I had had more time to think about a plan, I'm sure I would have come up with something better.  Live & Learn!

Jerkman Posted at 2018-3-17 16:04
Yeah, I feel that I was overly cautious on this one.  If I had had more time to think about a plan, I'm sure I would have come up with something better.  Live & Learn!

Awesome video. I don't think I would have gotten too close, the balloon and especially the string could get wrapped around a prop and down you go.

The Irish music was a nice touch.  Yeah, for next time, flying upwind would be a good choice.  Also, what happens to all that plastic when the balloons come down?   I don't think they'd get a permit for that activity here in California.  ;)

StanfordWebbie Posted at 2018-3-17 18:36
The Irish music was a nice touch.  Yeah, for next time, flying upwind would be a good choice.  Also, what happens to all that plastic when the balloons come down?   I don't think they'd get a permit for that activity here in California.  ;)

Yeah, they was some push back locally against doing it this year because of the environmental concerns.  They claim they are biodegradable balloons.  This might have been the last year for it, we'll see.

Nice to see (and good you did not hit any)

Good work

Cool. But I forgot to wear green...


RedHotPoker

It's all about being in the right place in the right time ;) Very cool!

FatherXmas Posted at 2018-3-17 17:27
Awesome video. I don't think I would have gotten too close, the balloon and especially the string could get wrapped around a prop and down you go.

Maybe prop guards could help?

GoldenSun Posted at 2018-3-20 12:01
Maybe prop guards could help?

Probably not, I'd think the props would suck in the string.

Great capture...nice music choice
I think the planet will survive this little celebration of the Irish...

FatherXmas Posted at 2018-3-20 17:16
Probably not, I'd think the props would suck in the string.

If there was any string attached which I don't think so... ;)

Correct, no strings on these balloons.  I still didn't want to get too close, I could imagine popping one and then having it wrap around the prop leading to less than optimal results.

Nice footage and glad to see no collisions

Very nice to watch... something different and just in right time.. so nice