Today’s Epic Outdoor Picture of the Day captures a striking daytime moment in Erie, Colorado, one of Boulder’s most scenic neighbors and a quiet favorite for open-sky adventures. Photographed by award-winning Colorado photographer Lenny Lensworth Frieling , this image freezes the raw energy behind hot air ballooning—the powerful flames firing upward as the balloon is brought to life.
There’s something captivating about seeing a balloon mid-prep during the day. The bright Colorado sky provides a clean backdrop, allowing the flames, colors, and scale of the balloon to take center stage. You can almost hear the roar of the burners and feel the anticipation as the balloon fills, steadies, and prepares for lift-off. It’s a reminder that magic doesn’t only happen at the edges of the day—sometimes it’s right there in full daylight.
Erie’s wide-open spaces make it an ideal location for balloon launches. With fewer obstructions, expansive fields, and steady daytime conditions, it’s a popular area for balloonists operating along the Front Range. Its location near Boulder also makes it a natural extension of Boulder County’s outdoor culture, blending small-town calm with big-sky experiences…