Mardi Gras World Tour

photos and soundstripe by Mark M. Hancock / © DFWmark.com

Artisans work while tourists are guided through the Mardi Gras World fabrication areas and float den in New Orleans on April 13, 2015. The facility prepares and manages more than 500 floats. Artists work all year, and tours are available every day except Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter and Mardi Gras Day (Fat Tuesday).


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Enough for now,

Sabine River diversions

George R. Dias of Stark, La. powers his boat toward a launch under the Sabine River Bridge (I-10) on the Sabine River in Orange on Thursday, May 8, 2008. Cities in both Texas and Louisiana want to divert water from the Sabine River for their communities.

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

First LNG shipment arrives

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

U.S. Coast Guard members provide security as boats maneuver the Celestine River LNG vessel into position during the first arrival of liquified natural gas at the Sabine Pass LNG on Friday, April 11, 2008.


U.S. Coast Guard Lt. j.g. Niya J. Williams (bottom) makes photos from the deck of the Sabine Pilot II as boats maneuver the Celestine River LNG vessel into position during the first arrival of liquified natural gas at the Sabine Pass LNG. The 145,000 cm-capacity vessel transported the cargo from Nigeria to the facility owned by Cheniere Energy, Inc.


The Sabine Pilot (center) passes as boats maneuver the Celestine River LNG vessel (right) into position during the first arrival of liquified natural gas at the Sabine Pass LNG.

Please read, "Massive tanker ushers in new wave of LNG supplies" by Christine Rappleye.

I'm flying to NY

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

A Great Egret is startled by a ferry's horn near the ferry crossing over the waterway between Calcasieu Lake and the Gulf of Mexico in Cameron, La. on Tuesday, July 3, 2007.


I'm flying to Albany, NY today for the New York Press Association Spring Convention. I'll be the old guy with the boonie hat and Texan accent. If you attend the convention, please say howdy to me after my presentations (I'll be freaking out until I'm done).

On Friday, I'll be presenting "What is a Photojournalist" from 2:15 - 3:30 p.m. followed by "Quick Ways to Improve Your Images" from 3:45 - 5 p.m. (this one may run long). These presentations are at The Hampton Inn.

Here are the session descriptions:

What is a photojournalist?

This session is intended for non-photojournalists, who want learn about professional visual journalism. Learn what makes photojournalism different than other photography styles. Learn how photojournalism can be the most powerful form of communication. Learn how to effectively work with photojournalists to maximize reader impact. Put on the boots of a photojournalist for a while and understand why they love this work so much.

Quick ways to improve your images

This session is intended for working news photographers and photojournalists. However, it's helpful for anyone who makes images. This session includes fast, effective, proven techniques to improve everyone's images and make images pack more punch when they hit the newsstand. This session reveals pro techniques in story telling, composition, exposures, focus, access, cutline accuracy and more. Some working knowledge of photography is suggested to keep up with this fast-paced session.

While the first session states it's for non-PJs, some PJs may want to attend and think of it as a "Defense Against the Dark Arts" class. I'll explain what PJs do in journalism terms.

I'll be around the whole weekend if anyone wants to shoot the breeze or show me their work. I'll be staying at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Expect to see a shot or two from the trip. :-)

For the record, think twice before you accept a speaking gig. The semester of speech I took in college never prepared me to give two separate back-to-back speeches this long. Whew!

Since I've spent weeks getting these ready, I may turn them into a images-and-words training video later this year (minus the "where was I?" moments of the live version).

For all three of this blog's regular readers, I'll post the Quick Tips cheat sheet on Friday. It won't be linked immediately and some of it may not make sense yet, but it may be helpful to y'all anyway.

Next week I'll be finishing a multi-media sports project I've been working on since last year. It should post sometime the following week.

I plan to be back on blogging target (daily PJ questions will return) around April 15th, which happens to be the first day I'll deliver a post for the Black Star blog. It'll be cross-posted here as well, but it may go over the heads of casual shooters. I may have some other interesting news about then as well.

Enough for now,

Wetland Walkway Reopens

video and music © Mark M. Hancock / photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

The Wetland Walkway on the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge near Hackberry, Louisiana had its official reopening on Wednesday, March 19, 2008. The refuge was destroyed by Hurricane Rita and required major reconstruction.

Lamar loses but advances

Lamar's Currye Todd (No. 31, left) tries to make it to the hoop past Southeastern Louisiana's Kevyn Green (No. 3, right) during a basketball game in Hammond, La. on Saturday, March 8, 2008.

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise



Lamar's Kenny Dawkins (No. 14, right) works his way past Southeastern Louisiana's Dekyron Nicks (No. 5, left) during a basketball game in Hammond, La. Lamar started the game positioned to win the conference title outright for the first time since the 1983-84 season.



Lamar's Currye Todd (No. 31, right) defends against Southeastern Louisiana's Daryl Arnold (No. 20, left) during a basketball game in Hammond, La. If Lamar could win, they'd have an automatic berth in the NIT tournament.


Lamar's Coy Custer (from left to right), Lawrence Nwevo and Lamar Sanders watch the final few minutes of a basketball game against Southeastern Louisiana in Hammond, La. Lamar University lost the game 83-73, but tied with Stephen F. Austin University to be Southland Conference co-champions and advance into the SLC Tournament.


Lamar's head coach Steve Roccaforte (center) along with assistant coaches Don Skelton (left) and Kermit Holmes (right) react to a referee's call during a basketball game against Southeastern Louisiana in Hammond, La. on Saturday, March 8, 2008. Lamar University must now win three games in four days to advance to the NIT Tournament.

Please read, "Missed shots..." by Perryn Keys.

Sabine search for missing boaters

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Eric Bruno (from left to right), Mandy Ardoin and Jeff Melancon search for Craig Phelps, 27, and Roger Frank, 18, near the Sabine River Bridge (I-10) in Orange, Texas on Thursday, Nov. 1, 2007.


Craig Phelps' friends and family members gather under the Sabine River Bridge (I-10) as officials continue to search the Sabine River near Orange. The Frank family searched from a different location. Craig Phelps' 3-year-old son, Kenneth Phelps, was found alone in a stranded aluminum boat hours after Phelps had gone to search for Roger Frank. Frank's canoe overturned on Tuesday.


Officials continue to search for missing boaters near the Sabine River Bridge (I-10) on the Louisiana side of the Sabine River near Orange, Texas.


A Coast Guard helicopter flies over the Sabine River Bridge (I-10) as the search for two missing boaters continues in Orange.


US Coast Guard petty officers Chris Coleman (bow) and Felix Bultron pass an Orange County Sheriff's boat as both search for Craig Phelps and Roger Frank near the Sabine River Bridge (I-10) in Orange, Texas. Phelps was searching for Roger Frank when he was reported missing as well.


US Coast Guard petty officers Chris Coleman (left) and Felix Bultron (right) search for Craig Phelps and Roger Frank near the Sabine River Bridge (I-10).


US Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Chris Coleman searchs for Craig Phelps and Roger Frank on the Sabine River, which is the border between Texas and Louisiana.

Please read "Treacherous Sabine River torments two families" by Mike D. Smith.

Happy Labor Day

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Three bottlenose dolphins lead a ship near the ferry crossing over the waterway between Calcasieu Lake and the Gulf of Mexico in Cameron, La. on Tuesday, July 3, 2007. Recently a pink bottlenose dolphin was spotted near the ferry. It's believed to be an albino bottlenose dolphin rather than the more rare Asian or South American pink dolphins.

Although our photo staff is currently down to two, I actually have today off. So, y'all get happy dolphins (from this slideshow). If y'all have today off, enjoy. :-)

East Orange, La.

The area formerly called East Orange, La. was a strip of casinos, bars and dance halls that existed along old Highway 90 until enforcement of Louisiana gambling laws and the opening of Interstate 10. The area, which was accessible to Texans via a swing bridge over the Sabine River and a mile-long wooden bridge over the swamp, finally came to a conclusion when the bridge burned in 1973.

Please read "TALES: East Orange, La..." by Mike D. Smith.
 

Big gator

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

A large alligator prowls for food in the Sabine River near Orange between Texas and Louisiana on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2007.

Cameron's hermits

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Hermit crabs hide together on a rock near the Cameron Ferry in Cameron, La. on Saturday, July 7, 2007.


A hermit crab holds onto a rock near the Cameron Ferry in Cameron, La.



A hermit crab starts to turn its shell away from the sun near the Cameron Ferry in Cameron, La.

Cameron Ferry Wildlife

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise


I searched for the elusive (albino) pink bottlenose dolphin twice last week. The first time with Fayrouz and the second time alone. Considering it could be anywhere between Lake Charles, La. and Miami, Fla., I was satisfied to get any surfacing dolphins.

Pinky, as we named it, has been spotted several times at the Cameron Ferry in Cameron, La. The waterway between Calcasieu Lake and the Gulf of Mexico brings an assortment of fresh fish with the tides for the dolphins. Additionally, there's plenty of large ships to race. Consequently, Cameron is a favorite hang out for the playful critters.

Some folks may notice the dolphins have pink bellies. From what I've read, they should have white bellies. Like flamingos and spoonbills, this coloration is because their diet contains so many shrimp, crabs, crawfish and other crustaceans.

I know the music loop is too familiar. I'm working on other options, but this loop sounds both "natural" and "tropical." So, it goes well with the animal slide shows and videos. Work with me for a while. :-)

Please read "Albino dolphin spied around Calcasieu Lake" by Christine Rappleye.

Immature Green Heron

An immature Green Heron rests near the ferry crossing over the waterway between Calcasieu Lake and the Gulf of Mexico in Cameron, La. on Tuesday, July 3, 2007. Recently a pink bottlenose dolphin was spotted near the ferry. It's believed to be an albino bottlenose dolphin rather than the more rare Asian or South American pink dolphins.

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise



This bird is actually so large and landed so close to me that I had to tilt the camera to fit it into the frame. I couldn't change from the 400mm because it would have split before I had the next lens out of my hip bag.

This is a preview of tomorrow's slide show (no, I couldn't find Pinky). Since I'm going to start posting slide shows on the blog, I needed to set down some guidelines for myself. It's more fun to break my own rules than other people's rules. ;-}

I'll attept to post slide shows on Wednesdays. It's a slow day, so folks may have more time to see them. I reserve the right to post images from a slideshow over several days as I have done for years. A photo a day is difficult enough. Acquiring 50 unique images per day is excessive.

I'm trying to learn Garage Band. In the meantime, I'll post variations of the longer loops. If y'all get sick of the same basic music loops, turn down the volume on the player. But, you're stuck when it comes to videos. :-)

Cameron hospital reconstruction

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Former President George H. Bush (left) and actor George Clooney (right) participate in a ceremony to mark the rebuilding of South Cameron Memorial Hospital in Cameron, La. on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2006.

Actor George Clooney speaks during a ceremony to mark the rebuilding of South Cameron Memorial Hospital in Cameron, La. The hospital was destroyed by Hurricane Rita on Sept. 24, 2005.



Actor George Clooney meets with attendees after a ceremony to mark the rebuilding of South Cameron Memorial Hospital in Cameron, La.


Construction has begun on the rebuilding of South Cameron Memorial Hospital in Creole, La. on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2006.

Contractors Steve Turner (from left to right), Keven O'Brien, Doug Pink and Rick Linder inspect hospital construction following a ceremony to mark the rebuilding of South Cameron Memorial Hospital in Creole, La.

Please read "Actor Clooney, former president deliver $2 million check for Cameron hospital" by Christine Rappleye.
 

Cameron recovery celebration

Guests reflect on a commemorative monument during a celebration and shrimp boil in Cameron, La. on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2006. Cameron Parish dedicated a monument to commemorate the restoration of its cemeteries. The parish has recovered and reburied about 300 of the 340 caskets and remains uprooted by Hurricane Rita.


Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise


Leann Stewart (from left to right), Shane Manuel and Karl Miller prepare meals for guests during a celebration and shrimp boil in Cameron, La.


Cajun-boiled shrimp steam in a cooler during a celebration and shrimp boil in Cameron, La.


Volunteer Galton Boudreaux of Oak Grove stirs shrimp with a shovel during a celebration and shrimp boil in Cameron, La.


Clifton Hebert, Cameron Parish's emergency operations center operations chief, (right) relaxes during a celebration and shrimp boil in Cameron, La.

For additional coverage, please see Hurricane Rita's toll on SW Louisiana or Mark's Hurricane Rita visual timeline.
 

Holly Beach sunset

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise
Dragonflies buzz a drainage canal as the sun sets in Holly Beach, La. on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2006.
Enough for now,
 

Rita anniversary: Louisiana

Below are the images of Southwest Louisiana's recovery in Cameron Parish. Many of the compositions appear strange or random. By normal accounts, most are quite boring. However, click on the link under each image and see how the same scene looked about a year ago.


Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Now:   Boyd Nunez, 77, poses for a portrait by his father's grave in Oak Grove, La. on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2006. His father's coffin was moved 300 yards by Hurricane Rita's storm surge. He had to have a new vault cap made to have his father's body returned from the county.
Then


Now:   The home of Louetta Nunez has been largely repaired in Oak Grove, La. by Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2006.
Then


Now:   A statue has been returned to its pedistal at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Cameron, La. by Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2006.
Then


Now:   The Cameron Parish Library and elementary school have been cleared in Cameron, La. by Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2006.
Then


Now:   A dead alligator as well as Cameron Elementary School have been removed from Cameron, La. by Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2006.
Then


Now:   Most abandoned vehicles have been removed from Cameron Parish, La. by Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2006.
Then


Now:   The water tower remains and emergency services are returning at Holly Beach in Cameron Parish, La. on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2006.
Then


Now:   A buried Pontiac Sunbird was removed from Holly Beach, La. by Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2006.
Then


Now:   An overturned and trapped recreational trailer has been removed from Holly Beach, La. by Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2006.
Then
 

Cameron Parish still faces insurance challenges

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

The home of April Hebert was destroyed by Hurricane Rita and was recently raised onto piers and is in the process of being rebuilt in Johnson's Bayou, La. on Saturday, June 24, 2006. After last year's hurricane season, insurance companies are canceling policies and refusing to insure homes along coastal areas of Louisiana.


Meaux's Seafood owner Sonny Meaux explains a survey problem in Holly Beach, La. One of the State of Louisiana's so-called "Ten Commandments" requires residents to hire surveyors to mark their land. Meaux paid $550 to have his land surveyed (orange stake). His neighbor's surveyor claims the boundry is at the pink stake. Now, the neighbors must go to court to resolve the problem created by this requirement. Whoever loses in court must then sue their surveyor.


Meaux's Seafood owners Sonny and Loretta Meaux visit with friends in Holly Beach, La. They have encountered a list of problems and roadblocks from FEMA, the state and insurance companies. However, they are committed to rebuilding their business and life in Holly Beach.


Faye LeJeune (left) gets a hug from her new daughter-in-law Robyn David (right) during the wedding reception in Holly Beach, La. The LeJeune wedding was the first in Holly Beach since Hurricane Rita hit last summer.


Faye and Donnie LeJeune dance on their wedding deck during the wedding reception in Holly Beach, La. Although they have no permanent home yet, the LeJeunes plan to rebuild in the town formerly known as the Cajun Riviera.


Seasonal sunflowers returned to live in Cameron, La. before some of the city's residents. After last year's hurricane season, insurance companies are canceling policies and refusing to insure homes along coastal areas of Louisiana.


The graves of the Nunez family in Oak Grove, La. have been repaired and decorated with artificial flowers. One coffin was moved 300 yards by Hurricane Rita's storm surge. The coffin was taken to the coroner's office until a new vault cap was made.

Please read "Cameron Parish perseveres through hard times" by Christine Rappleye.

For additional coverage, please see Hurricane Rita's toll on SW Louisiana or Mark's Hurricane Rita visual timeline.