Love the image - the simplicity..the soft colors..the silhouetted grasses and balloon up in the sky. Love - even more - your words about that feeling of freedom. Really special!

Picturit: My words about freedom are just my words, I thought they would complete the picture today, thank you for you kind compliment, as always.
Astrid.

1st, welcome back

2nd, Love the silhouttes and tones. a lot of drama here

Picturit: 1st. thank you so much, it is great to be back, only this day though, in a few days I might post again....
2nd. we had a nice sunset and the colours were just beautiful, thank you for your kind words, as always.
Astrid.

I love the colour tone in this.

Picturit: Thanks Mary, the sun was setting on a beautiful day.
Astrid.

As a young boy, I imagined myself with big gliding wings like those of an Albatross...I designed, built and flew many, many kites to enhance the dream...

Its a very fine post, Astrid..the picture and your words.

Picturit: I love kites, when I was a kid I had an eagle-kite, made of cloth, it was a super kite, it could 'hang' for hours in the air.......I never stopped dreaming.
Thank you for your kind words.
Astrid

Excellent angle. I love the grass in the foreground.

Picturit: It is reed in a ditch I was in while taking this picture to avoid electric wiring of the train.
Astrid.

I've been waiting for a post like this from you for quite some time, Astrid. It seems the wait is over.

Picturit: Your words made me smile.....yes the wait might be over, I have to disappoint you though, the Armada is not yet finished yet.....almost....a couple of hours and than it is finished.
Astrid.

Another lovely one Astrid....Freedom is a beautiful thing.

Picturit: Freedom is a beautiful thing if it is within reach and we are able to grab it....and if we are able to grab it...do so and don't hesitate...
Thank you for your kind words.
Astrid

a very beautiful pic- beautiful in all details!- the browny soft toning (after sunset or early in the morning?), the grasses, a little moved by the wind and each so different, 'craning their necks' to the sky, and there -quite abov-e the balloon- I always love balloons (often photographed),always for me a symbol of freedom and a kind of life I sometimes wish: to be simply and quietly carried out to...

Picturit: ohhh Philine sometimes I wished life to be simple and quiet, you know as well as I do; we have to accept what comes on our path, we can do a few things, but the best is to accept, feel confident, don't look to much to the neighbours who always have their opinion ready....and walk on tall and be proud of who and what you are.
I know only the strong survive, but isn't that the law of nature....
This picture was taken in the late afternoon, a balloon came straight over our house, I live near big meadows and we had a landing there maybe 10 years ago, so I grabbed my camera and my bike and started following the balloon....
I had to cross the canal and there it was.... too far away, getting higher and higher, I was in a ditch (the railroad is nearby too with those ugly wires) and had a few shots while it disappeared in the sky....
The balloon is for me the equivalent of freedom....the freedom within me.
Astrid

Excellent perspective! Like the simplicity.

Picturit: Thank you so much Nigel.
Astrid

Great silhoutte,love the words Astrid

Picturit: Thank you Vintage, sometimes I need it, it completes the image.
Astrid.

Astrid no truer words have been aaid. I can tell you from the heart that it is a wonderful feeling of freedom being up in one of those ballon's, as you know I DID IT three weeks ago.
Your shot is just stunning mijn vriend. Thanks for the link on my post too.

Picturit: You know what it is like, I thought of you the whole time while chasing the thing...I ended up into the ditch....but with this result.....
You can be proud that you dared and loved it.
You are so welcome any time, dear friend.
Astrid.

This is very beautiful Astrid - the crop, the framing, the colours and that tiny balloon, way up high. I hate flying but I've always had a notion that I might like to go up in a balloon one day. A stunning image.
Ingrid

Picturit: Ingrid, I think it must be great, even Tracy tried and loves it, she is already shaking on thick socks....so you would love it too....
Thank you for your kind words.
Astrid

Just gorgeous!
What a great poster this would be on a wall.

Great work!

Picturit: Thank you for your kind words and for visiting my blog, your work is quite impressive too.
Astrid.

Very simple, gentle and quiet. I like this very much Astrid.

Picturit: Thank you Bill, sometimes I can be gentle and quiet, it depends on what mood I am in, thank you for your kind words.
Astrid.

Words well spoken... a photo well aligned, inspiring ... simply beautiful!

Picturit: Thank you Ade, every once in a while I have to put some words on paper, this image gave me that urge again...
Astrid.

It is another Monday so it must be time for another image from Astrid 2008, Goedemorgen. I think there might be a spec of dirt on your lens which has spoiled this otherwise perfect image. Oh no, I think it might be a hot air balloon. ps I can see your name.

hartelijke groeten from the variable speed typist who visits your every image.

Picturit: ...erm....dirt....a tiny spec of dirt.....you gave me a slightly higher blood pressure....I think you have your contacts wrong again, the L is for left...and the R is for right.....
Thank you so much for your hartelijke groeten en ik ben blij dat je de moeite neemt om elke foto van mij te bekijken.
Happy Monday...it is passed noon here.....
Astrid

Yes freedom ...,that's really beautiful word.interesting shot.

Picturit: It is a simple word but with a great impact if we have it....
Thanks for visiting.
Astrid.

Meer dan je weet. Meer dan ooit. My daily mantra! And your image is embedded in my mind now forever! Ontzettend bedankt, mijn lieve vriend.

Picturit: We weten beiden wat het is om vrij te zijn, meer dan je weet en meer dan ooit, it was one of those images that goes well with the words I had already in my mind for a long time...
It was my pleasure, mijn lieve vriend
Astrid

Simplicity at its best Astrid.

Picturit: Thanks Bernie, sometimes it pays off to do simple..
Astrid.

Yes, my kinda freedom (haven't had that pleasure, yet). Lovely shot and tone, and your poem says it all.

Picturit: Thank you, I would love to go by balloon some day....it must be great, Tracy did go with a balloon. a few weeks back.
Astrid

Fantastic! What a super perspective...and love the almost sepia tone to this unique silhouette!

Picturit: The sky was that colour, it was a beautiful day and the sun was setting.
Thank you for your kind words.
Astrid.

Wonderful words, and a superb photograph

Picturit: Thank you Paul, I take that as a compliment
Astrid.

Gorgeous image Ingrid. Lovely sudued colours.

Picturit: ...erm...Aussie UK.....you are landed I see, GREAT.....I know I will hear all about it....thank you for your kind words...erm...I hate to say it, I am Astrid...
Astrid.

Love the golden colours in this, Astrid. The balloon looks almost lost when set against the tall grasses.

Picturit: Yes, I lost ir too almost I had to go fast on my bike to get a good spot to capture this one.

Finesse et raffinement, une extraordinaire photo dans un format original !

Picturit: Thank you so much for your kind words and compliment.
Astrid.

mmmmm ... there is nothing more to say

Picturit: That is enough for me to have a big smile on my fce, thank you.
Astrid.

This is one of the lovliest pictures I have seen from you Astrid, very sensitive and beautiful words.

Picturit: This is a great compliment, thank you, it was a sunset on a beautiful day....you made my day today Brian and I am almost heading for my bed...
Thanks.
Astrid.

Excellent picture that somehow reminds me of Jonathan Livingstone Seagull. Maybe it is the freedom theme.

Picturit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Livingston_Seagull
Thank you for your kind words, yes Louis it is about freedom and yes it could be about the story of Jonathan.
Astrid.

Beautiful simplicity, beasutiful lighting, beautiful colours. To float above in a balloon is a wonderful experience and this captures it nicely from the ground view.

Picturit: I was just in time to get to this ditch and the reed....those balloons goes fast if they come into an air-stream.
Thank you for your kind words.
Astrid.

Lovely, both the spoken and unspoken image.

Picturit: Thank you for your compliment.
Astrid.

Very nice compo.
Bravo.
Yvon.

Picturit: Thank you so much for your kind words.
Astrid

I like this, almost contre-jour. The silhouettes against the darkening evening sky - lovely

Picturit: Thank myou for your kind words as ever,
Astrid.

Very nice dreamy picture!

Picturit: Thank you so much for your kind words,
I am sorry that it took me so long to reply to you,
Astrid.

love it the words,image...great stuff

Picturit: Thanks,
I am sorry that it took me so long to reply to you,
Astrid.

Dreamy, Love it.

Picturit: Thank you so much,
I am sorry that it took me so long to reply to you,
Astrid.

je ne sais pas comment décrire ça, mais cela me donne envie de voler!

Very nice composition! This way rthe balloon looks very far away instead of just small.

Picturit: It was very far away, almost too far for my liking
I am sorry that it took me so long to reply to you,
Astrid.

Flying. Yep.

Picturit: You can say that, I would love to try it one day,
I am sorry that it took me so long to reply to you,
Astrid.

Mooie foto, Astrid!
The essence of summer...

Picturit: Wim, dank je wel, ja ballonnen komen in deze tijd van het jaar regelmatig over.
het spijt me dat het zo lang geduurd heeft voor ik wat van me heb laten horen.
De boot is bijna klaar, volgende week gaat het gebeuren.
Astrid.

cool simplicity! love the silhouette and lighting

Picturit: Thank you for your kind words
I am sorry that it took me so long to reply to you,
Astrid.

Very nice Astrid: we had lots of balloons floating over Bath last week from the Bristol Balloon Fiesta

Picturit: That must have been a majestic sight, I love it when they 'float' over our house, we often can hear the people talk who are up there.
I am sorry that it took me so long to reply to you,
Astrid.

Great silhouettes and tones. Love the angle of this shot and the hot air balloon gives the feeling of freedom from all the anxieties of this world. BTW my new url is www.sirius2photo.com

Picturit: Thank you so much for your dear words, they mean a lot to me.
I am sorry that it took me so long to reply to you,
Astrid.

Oh Astrid, The places you get into to take a photograph!

I salute your courage and sense of adventure.

Picturit: LOL........Thank you, some say I am brave.....Thank you so much for your kind words.
I am sorry that it took me so long to reply to you,
Astrid.

Oh Astrid. This photo evokes so many emotions and yes, freedom, or the desire for it is one of them. Fabulous shot. What can I say that hasn't already been said? Lovely! Absolutely lovely.

Picturit: Thank you so much, freedom is a richness to have...I am free at last......and it feels good......
Thank you for your dear words.
I am sorry that it took me so long to reply to you,
Astrid.

ASTRID dear ASTRID, jet lag no.
ASTRID dear ASTRID Stress.
Yes Astrid it was the stress.
ASTRID dear ASTRID I promise not to make that mistake again.
My job did not work out as planned so now I will be heading home after a short holiday. So it was the stress.

Picturit: I am so sorry Aussie.....so sorry you had to go through this all.
I am sorry that it took me so long to reply to you,
Astrid.
I will write you soon......

A very nice image, and a nice words to go with it. I like the tone of the image.

Picturit: Thanks Tom for your kind words.
I am sorry that it took me so long to reply to you,
Astrid.

Beautiful atmosphere and great title.

This is a great balloon shot, Astrid. Balloon Fiesta is coming up here in Albuquerque in October. I am soooo looking forward to it.

its oh so difficult to find that place (feeling) but when you do its magic

Very creative composition. great colors! i could see this on a poster or in a magazine.

I really love this capture, it's stunning!

I imagine that feeling... excellent shot!

Erg goed deze. Foto roept een zomeravond gevoel op

I think it's your birthday, yeah? Happy birthday.

Astrid, I love the crop, the grass, and the balloon. All so perfect in the sky. Your poem fits it so well. Thank you for giving me this moment.

You've been visiting with Chantaliaans, haven't you...
"Imagine that feeling...": looking at this pic, I can, thank you!

Picturit: No I haven't, we live close I think, but hot air balloons are in the air more in this time of year, this was taken I think in the first week of August and I have posted this on the 11th of August, I am sorry I have not been around much...as a matter of fact I will now send you some pics of the project....
Thank you for visiting, I do appreciate that very much.

I love the hint of setting the corn field gives, very nice work!

Picturit: Thank you so much for your kind words, they mean a lot to me, after seen your fabulous pictures.
Astrid

Fantastico!!!!

The question is a figure of speech, not to be taken literally. Chantal has been posting pix, for quite some time now, of hot air balloons! Of course, I saw this post on 11aug and commented thereon then too, but liked it so much that I wanted to comment again. Thanks for the project pix; look forward to seeing some posts of the parade. All the best, and don't work too hard!

Picturit: LOL....sometimes I don't get the joke....that is lost in translation and maybe I am too serious , no I don't work to hard, 7 days to go until the parade....
Thank you Smits, for being in front of your computer taking time to write me.
Thanks, have a great weekend.
Astrid.

Fine shot, Astrid. Simple but highly effective!

I'm so sorry, Astrid, I did not mean anything. I was just embarrassed by your description of me as so polite. Will you ever speak to me again, in Flemish or whatever? Or even blog posting.
I am really testing you humour now.
Hartelijke groeten.
Your fixed letter writer who is deeply honoured to be able to converse with you.

Picturit: ....man alive here....you being embarrashed...erm...ik zal altijd tegen je blijven praten, I will always keep talking to you, even if your head fall off....I did the translation for you for I know these Internet translators are a pain in the ..tt....
Hartelijke groeten....the pleasure is all mine...now I will continue painting the sign that comes at the Armada, letting them know..Only women worked here...
Tot morgen en doe voorzichtig met oversteken...
Astrid

I love the unusual perspective of this shot, and your words fit the image perfectly.

Very striking composition. Wonderful!!

Excellent and beautiful

perfectly framed

Astrid, I'm sorry for the inconvenience, but I have decided to more to a new blog. I hope you will still continue to critique, and I hope to meet you soon. Thanks

Picturit: Ade, I have seen your new blog already, it looks very good, I love the template, good luck and we will meet soon give me a few days and I will write you.
Have a nice day.
Astrid.