High Altitude Balloon Flight

Balloon Flight from Patrick Cullis on Vimeo.

  A short video compiling footage from two balloon flights last summer.  Includes high resolution photos from above 85,000 feet as well as video from launch, burst, and landing.

  Music by Excavacations - Actual Behavior

Bloomin' Orchid

Paphiopedilum Philippinense

  The large slipper orchid I got in the spring for my birthday sent up its first spike and bloomed over the New Year!  I got this from Fantasy Orchids in Louisville, CO which is just an incredible greenhouse. I bought it out-of-bloom, so this was especially exciting to witness as it progressed over the month of December and in to the 2014.  The technical name is Paphiopedilum Philippinense and they are known for their long petals which are currently at 7" on the first bloom.

Paphiopedilum - Three open, one to go.

Paph "tentacles" emerge

Paph Staminode

A pretty good Festivus present.

Flickr Update

pcully's photostream on Flickr.

I've discarded my website for a new flickr album and am actually incredibly happy with it. Check it out!

Take the Highway... (to the Moon over the Great Divide)

The Moon sets above the Great Divide from 86,000 feet above Colorado.

flickr version with labeled landmarks

  The snow-capped Rocky Mountains of Colorado stretch across this photograph taken on June 27, 2013 from 86,000 feet.  The waning Moon shines in the black sky above the Earth's thin atmosphere.  I-70 snakes up from the bottom towards Loveland Pass and the Eisenhower Tunnel.

The Moon above the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.

Dillon Reservoir, I-70, Georgetown, Berthoud Pass, and Winter Park / Mary Jane

  In the center of the photo can be seen (from top-left to right) Dillon Reservoir in Frisco, CO, I-70 snaking down from the Eisenhower Tunnel to Georgetown (in valley stretching from left to right,) and Berthoud Pass to Winter Park Ski Area in the top right.

Lake Granby and the Continental Divide

Denver and Boulder from 86,000 feet.  

  From a view looking northeast, the sprawl of Denver can be seen in the bottom right.  Nestled against the foothills and iconic Flatirons, Boulder is on the left, below center.

Go Higher

Boulder, Colorado and the Continental Divide from 100,000 feet.

 Snow-capped peaks highlight the Continental Divide while smoke from forest fires fill the valleys.  I'm hoping to get a clear day soon for a follow up, but may have to wait until winter to get a transparent air mass.

Zion Videos

Three trails in Zion National Park from this past October.  Zion is an incredible place I hope to get back to soon.

The Subway Trail - Top to Bottom from Patrick Cullis on Vimeo.

Zion - Angels Landing from Patrick Cullis on Vimeo.
Zion Narrows from Patrick Cullis on Vimeo.

In Video Form

South Pole Aurora from Patrick Cullis on Vimeo.

  Best fullscreen and HD.