Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Paraglider

A couple of months ago I posted a picture from the top of Mount Herman, and I mentioned that I had some older photos of paragliders taken from the top. I dug them out, and here they are. They are from September 2007, and they'll make an appropriate Skywatch Friday post.

For a paraglider, the term "takeoff run" is literal, as they run to get lift. In this case, they run off the top of the mountain, over a cliff. It takes more guts than I'd have - in fact, one of them almost crashed because he didn't get enough lift. However, this one had a perfect takeoff.
For more photos featuring the sky as a background, visit the Skywatch Friday meme.
at

36 comments:

  1. Sylvia KSeptember 29, 2010 at 9:15 PM

    Fantastic captures, Al! I do occasionally see paragliders down at the harbor and they always take my breath away, but they definitely have more guts than ever had! Gorgeous skies and colors, too! Have a great weekend!

    Sylvia

    ReplyDelete
  2. GaelynSeptember 29, 2010 at 10:28 PM

    Looks like fun to me.

    ReplyDelete
  3. ElettraSeptember 30, 2010 at 1:51 AM

    beautiful photos an exciting experience

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousSeptember 30, 2010 at 3:18 AM

    It must be eventful, but I'll keep the feet on the ground ;-)
    Great photos!

    ReplyDelete
  5. giorno26 ¸¸.•*¨*•.September 30, 2010 at 5:45 AM

    Ciao Al,
    amo il parapendio !!!
    Bellissime foto.

    ReplyDelete
  6. KaoriSeptember 30, 2010 at 8:47 AM

    Oh it looks like a lot of fun! Love that shot from below ;-D

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousSeptember 30, 2010 at 10:23 AM

    Oh, to sway up in the blue - so free!

    ReplyDelete
  8. EG CameraGirlSeptember 30, 2010 at 12:31 PM

    People who do that must be very brave!

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousSeptember 30, 2010 at 12:32 PM

    Wonderful & exciting Sky Watch Friday shots!!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. ErwinSeptember 30, 2010 at 12:32 PM

    Looks fun & a bit dangerous to me, great pictures !

    Erwin.

    ReplyDelete
  11. LauraSeptember 30, 2010 at 12:34 PM

    so beautiful and free in the expanse of clear blue sky!

    ReplyDelete
  12. clairzSeptember 30, 2010 at 12:34 PM

    Well, to me--horrifying! And beautiful, too.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Gigi AnnSeptember 30, 2010 at 12:35 PM

    Fun but I'm afraid of heights. Great pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  14. vincibeneSeptember 30, 2010 at 12:35 PM

    Cool shot! Exquisite colors!

    ReplyDelete
  15. GunnarSeptember 30, 2010 at 12:35 PM

    They are crazy, but I am sure it is fun. Nice pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  16. EaglesbrotherSeptember 30, 2010 at 12:37 PM

    Great skies..and this fellows mode of transportation sure will save gas ( grinning here).

    ReplyDelete
  17. SteffiSeptember 30, 2010 at 1:13 PM

    Very great skies-fantastic shots!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Valentina DraganSeptember 30, 2010 at 1:25 PM

    Beautiful shots! Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  19. AnonymousSeptember 30, 2010 at 2:23 PM

    i'm sure if you look deeper into your archives you'd find more skywatch worthy images like these two.

    i wonder if i'd have the guts to try this.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Kim, USASeptember 30, 2010 at 2:50 PM

    I love to try paragliding. I don't know if I freak out when I am up there but look at the beauty around it's fantastic! Happy weekend!
    Blue sky

    ReplyDelete
  21. jocoSeptember 30, 2010 at 3:06 PM

    Very photogenic hangglider agains that blue sky.

    ReplyDelete
  22. AnonymousSeptember 30, 2010 at 3:44 PM

    How amazing it must feel to be free.

    Please have a wonderful Friday.

    daily athens

    ReplyDelete
  23. Maurice LauherSeptember 30, 2010 at 3:47 PM

    Great shot - thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  24. SusanneSeptember 30, 2010 at 3:58 PM

    Lovely and dangerous!!

    ReplyDelete
  25. edenSeptember 30, 2010 at 5:29 PM

    Beautiful captures. Love the blue sky

    ReplyDelete
  26. Frostbite and SunburnSeptember 30, 2010 at 8:27 PM

    Lovely shots - my husband has recently taken leave of his senses and had a go at this madness!

    ReplyDelete
  27. AnonymousSeptember 30, 2010 at 8:58 PM

    2nd comment -

    Thanks so much for visiting my SWF!
    I don't think I'd be able to 'run off a cliff' either! But, WHOA, are these great shots!

    ReplyDelete
  28. KcalpeshSeptember 30, 2010 at 10:12 PM

    Awesome adventure under the blue sky :)

    Pixellicious Photos

    ReplyDelete
  29. Costea Andrea MihaiSeptember 30, 2010 at 11:53 PM

    beautiful captures!! regards

    ReplyDelete
  30. Gypsy LalaOctober 1, 2010 at 5:20 AM

    Beautiful blue sky and awesome adventure, bet I dare not play with it.

    ReplyDelete
  31. DrillerAAOctober 1, 2010 at 5:39 AM

    Absolutely perfect capture. And yes, they have more nerve...or less common sense than I would ever have to try this sport.

    ReplyDelete
  32. a whole lotta loveOctober 1, 2010 at 7:47 AM

    I just wanted to let you know that I posted about your blog today. I hope you like it and that more people will see your blog because of it :)

    ReplyDelete
  33. lizziviggiOctober 1, 2010 at 9:24 AM

    Breathtaking! Literally. The thought of flying up there like that makes it a little hard to breathe! It must be wonderful and terrifying. How about a skywatch photo from the perspective of the paraglider? ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  34. ShirleyOctober 1, 2010 at 11:33 AM

    Wow! I get nervous just looking down over my son's balcony which is on the 24th floor! Good shots!

    ReplyDelete
  35. ViolaOctober 1, 2010 at 5:37 PM

    WoW!! I hope that is not you??!! What a view!! I would never ever jump out from there! If I shoul absolutely jump..it would be from a very small chair!! Haha! :) Have a nice weekend to you!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Nikki - Notes of LifeOctober 2, 2010 at 1:57 PM

    I'd love to do that... It's just a shame I'm scared of heights and flying!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment - I love reading them and look forward to viewing your blog. If you only allow Google+ comments I won't be able to leave a comment in return.