Though primarily a nature photographer, that's not all I shoot. If you follow this blog with any regularity, you already know that.

I've been diligent the last few years about capturing subject matter I'll call "local flavor." For me, the story of Teton Country is not just the the national park and forests adjacent to it, but also what goes on in the surrounding areas. That story extends beyond Wyoming to Eastern Idaho and includes both agriculture and small town life.

While compiling these images is related to a book project, it's not all about work. I like rural America and enjoy the events which you'll often find in unexpected places. Case in point: the annual Teton Valley Balloon Rally, which takes place each year around the Independence Day holiday. I was there last week with my camera, just as I've been on a number of previous occasions.

In its 43rd year, the Rally takes place over four days at the Teton County Fairgrounds in Driggs, Idaho - and it's magical. The entire process of assembling the aircraft is fascinating: offloading the basket, stretching out the envelope, using giant inflator fans to fill the balloon with cold air (cold packing), then lighting propane burners to lift the balloon upright. You can wander around and watch the crews working close-up.

Then one by one, these spectacular flying machines gently ascend. The sky overhead becomes a colorful mosaic as the balloons float silently over the landscape.

I was at the fairgrounds on day one of the event. It was a perfect morning to fly: cold (32 degrees at sunrise), fair weather, and completely calm. It was so calm that most of the pilots were able to guide their balloons right back to the fairgrounds, or very nearby, at the completion of their flights. Some of them landed and then took off again for a second pass: a balloonist's version of a touch and go?

I've never seen either of those things happen before. Even the emcee commented about the uniqueness of the situation.

Suffice it to say the chase teams didn't have much ground to travel!

Over the years I've compiled photographs documenting the balloon assemblage. This time, I opted to shoot only with my long lens. My main objective was to try to make an image featuring one or more balloons sailing in front of Grand Teton. You never know where their flight paths will take them, so this is easier said than done. Another challenge is the fact that, by necessity, you're shooting to the east where the sun has just risen - which means you've got to deal with high contrast and haze.

It did end up working out, as you can see above.

Having attended many times before, I recognized most of the balloons at the Rally. There were two new ones this time, though, both of which were critters and very cute.

I got a kick out of the owl. Here he is eyeing one of the other balloons:

But then, after most of the other balloons had lifted off, I turned my attention to one that was only just starting to be filled with air.

As the fabric began to rise, I saw a lot of white with black zigs and zags running through it. Then some green, which was clearly going to protrude from the side. What was this going to be?

Soon enough, we got the answer: a baby dinosaur breaking out of his egg, and this balloon is massive. Move over, Mr. Owl! T-Rex just stole the show.

The name of the balloon is Baby Rex. It's piloted by Rex Jennings out of Vernal, Utah - home of Dinosaur National Monument, so of course this makes perfect sense!

Baby Rex, manufactured at the world-class Kubicek factory in the Czech Republic, made its debut last August and has already flown at a number of festivals including at Albuquerque last September. One can only hope he'll be back for a return engagement at the Teton Valley Balloon Rally next year. (The owl should visit again, too!)

It's not hyperbole to describe Baby Rex as massive. Check out the balloon behind it for scale.

You can't see it here, but Rex's tail sticks out the back of the balloon.

If your travels ever take you to Jackson, Wyoming and/or Grand Teton National Park over the July Fourth holiday, get up early one morning and head over the pass to check out the Teton Valley Balloon Rally. You will not be disappointed.