ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – On Tuesday of the 2023 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the first balloons to lift off had to compete for attention with the lavender Duke City skies. Many balloons were able to land back on the field where they took off from.

Let’s get things started | Photo by Scott Brown
Lavender in the sky | Photo by Scott Brown
Good morning! | Photo by Scott Brown
Huddle up | Photo by Scott Brown
No filter | Photo by Scott Brown
Before the sun | Photo by Scott Brown
Friendly face in the crowd | Photo by Scott Brown
What’s all this then? | Photo by Scott Brown
Sloth! | Photo by Scott Brown
Heh heh | Photo by Scott Brown
I lost my friend! | Photo by Scott Brown
Airabelle right there | Photo by Scott Brown
Group photo | Photo by Scott Brown
Look up! | Photo by Scott Brown
Never gets old | Photo by Scott Brown
It’s dangerous to go alone | Photo by Scott Brown
Every color in the box | Photo by Scott Brown
Among the clouds | Photo by Scott Brown
Where did that cow go? | Photo by Scott Brown
Make room for everyone! | Photo by Scott Brown
Busy day in the air | Photo by Scott Brown
Cheese! | Photo by Scott Brown
It’s good! | Photo by Scott Brown
Meeting of the minds | Photo by Scott Brown
Over the rainbow | Photo by Scott Brown
Hi there! | Photo by Scott Brown
Pinks and blues | Photo by Scott Brown
Against the clouds | Photo by Scott Brown
Penguin flight | Photo by Scott Brown
High-traffic area | Photo by Scott Brown
Trying to align with the moon | Photo by Scott Brown
Ended the morning with a rainbow | Photo by Scott Brown
Air hugs | Photo by Scott Brown