Photographer Paul Jurak's red kayak, at left of the EU Balloon's huge envelope, has been in the thick of Canberra's Balloon Spectacular each morning on Lake Burley Griffin.
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Spirits soar when scores of balloons drift down to the water's surface. Mr Jurak says when the day's first sunlight turns the National Carillon into a 50m tower of liquid gold the lake is was no place for "lemon-suckers", his description of people who deride Canberra as a colourless city.
"I really like the mirrored balloon shots," he said. "I don't think there are too many places you can go [to see anything like it]. Like this morning, the amount of people out with single lens reflex cameras and tripods, long lenses, kids and families all running up and down the foreshore, and it is for free.
"Everyone is happy, whether on the edge of the lake or in the balloon. They all have smiles on their faces and are having a great time, especially when the weather is as good as it has been, calm conditions. From the water perspective it is just brilliant."
On Sunday morning the contingent of photographers, some standing on paddle boards, others in kayaks, and sightseers waiting for the balloons discovered conditions were too perfect. Because without a breath of wind the balloons could not catch a breeze and many did not launch beyond tether ropes on the lawns in front of Old Parliament House.
Sunrise on the lake creates a community of admirers who are happy to share their experiences. On Saturday morning the crew of three in a balloon between Lotus Bay and the National Museum allowed Mr Jurak to grab on to their basket and towed him towards Springbank Island.
Aside from the odd blast from their gas burners, the balloons are silent, so conversations flow like the wash from his kayak.
"Even when they are flying over head, I talk to them," Mr Jurak said. "On the EU balloon, I have a shot of the basket of all the people and they are going: 'Morning! How are you?' They would have been 10 metres above me. The Questacon balloon with Richard Gillespie, he's a top pilot, they are over even higher and the next minute you hear Morning Paul' ."
Mr Jurak has also struck up a partnership with Justin Galbraith who flies the Capital Chemist balloon, often following him or being towed by him.
"I have had more one-on-one conversations with Justin in a balloon when he is on the water than when he is outside the balloon, to be honest with you," he said.
