Adelaide residents were treated to some unusual visitors floating over the city this morning.
The renowned hot air balloon Skywhale was inflated above the River Torrens, along with newly created partner Skywhalepapa and babies, as part of the Adelaide Festival.
The 10-storey papa was launched last year and cradles several baby whales in its fins.
It was the first time both parents — described by the event's organisers as a "strange and wonderful pair of Leviathans" — have appeared together in Adelaide.
"It is just glorious," co-artistic director Rachel Healy said.
"Of course we'd seen the photographs but nothing can prepare you for their scale, their beauty, for the sense of connection that you feel.
The Skywhales' creator, contemporary artist Patricia Piccinini, said the exhibit aimed to get audiences talking and thinking.
"It's been literally euphoric," she said.
"It's a wonderful moment to come together to think about things that we're really interested in, like care and like nature — especially now that we're in the middle of a climate crisis."
Ms Piccinini recently appeared at Adelaide Writers' Week to discuss her new children's book, Every Heart Sings, which was also the name of this morning's Skywhale event.
"This is a great stop. The Adelaide Festival is a wonderful time to be in Adelaide. It's the best," she said.
Hundreds of eager onlookers came to Elder Park to watch the launch, including self-confessed Skywhale superfans.
Accompanied by the strains of ethereal music, the giant beasts were slowly inflated in the pre-dawn light, much to the delight of the crowd.
"I brought them out this morning to see the big Skywhales they're actually in tribute to.
"I think they are absolutely amazing. Seeing an artwork of this scale and the inventiveness that Patricia has put in to the concepts — I just really admire."
Adelaide resident Beth Newman, who has ridden in the balloon in Canberra, wore her special Skywhale earrings to the launch.
"She's funny, she's amusing, she's also very protective, she's up there in the sky looking at you," she said.
