40th National Day, United Arab Emirates

I got up at 5:00 am this morning to take my first pictures of the 40th National Day celebrations in Dubai ....

.... as a giant cake-shaped hot air balloon took off from Jumeirah.

(Nikon D700 : Sigma EX 12-24mm f4.5 - 5.6 : f5.6 : 1/30" : 24mm : ISO 800: 02.12.2011 06:35:01)

There were a total of six hot air balloons taking part in the 1st UAE Ballooning Championship.

(Nikon D5000 : Sigma EX 18-50mm f2.8 : f4 : 1/60" : 30mm : ISO 400: 02.12.2011 06:38:26)

(Nikon D5000 : Sigma EX 18-50mm f2.8 : f4 : 1/60" : 50mm : ISO 400: 02.12.2011 06:39:03)

(Nikon D5000 : Sigma EX 18-50mm f2.8 : f4 : 1/60" : 50mm : ISO 400: 02.12.2011 06:40:28)

(Nikon D5000 : Sigma EX 18-50mm f2.8 : f4 : 1/60" : 32mm : ISO 400: 02.12.2011 06:41:28)

(Nikon D5000 : Sigma EX 18-50mm f2.8 : f4 : 1/60" : 23mm : ISO 400: 02.12.2011 06:42:06)

The hot air balloons were reinflated whilst tethered to the ground in the Merdan Horseracing Stadium in the evening.

(Nikon D700 : Sigma EX 12-24mm f4.5 - 5.6 : f5 : 1/40" : 12mm : ISO 800: 02.12.2011 19:15:20)