DFW Paddle - White Rock Creek

video by Mark M. Hancock / © DFWmark.com

We take our first DFW Paddle 1.7 miles up White Rock Creek from the White Rock Lake near East Lawther and Scout Hill in Dallas on Sunday, July 6, 2014. Since the Speedpaddle didn't work for many, this is a regular-speed tour of the creek. I think it's a better compromise and will be easier to film in the future because I'll know to glide at times.
Please also see: DFW Paddle: White Rock Lake and White Rock Creek Critters

White Rock Creek Critters

video by Mark M. Hancock / © DFWmark.com

I mounted the GoPro on my kayak's bow and intended to make a "speed paddle" video at White Rock Creek in Dallas on Sunday, June 29, 2014. Unfortunately, at 8X speed, the paddle motion of the kayak would make some people ill. So, here are some of the critters I saw along the way. We'll try the speed paddle another weekend with a head mount. Watch for the snapping turtle. It was huge. Compare the size of it's head to the size of the shopping cart it's hiding near. I tested my GoPro Hero3 with iMovie. They've changed the program considerably since the last time I used it.
Please also see: DFW Paddle: White Rock Lake and DFW Paddle: White Rock Creek

Lunch with the Neighbors

video by Mark M. Hancock / © DFWmark.com

I gave some apples to our neighbors (a pair of donkeys) in Frisco on Saturday, June 29, 2014. I tested my GoPro Hero3 with iMovie. They've changed the program considerably since the last time I used it.

Seeding The Lawn

video by Mark M. Hancock / © DFWmark.com

I tested my GoPro Hero3 for the first time. Various mounts let me get some interesting angles. Click the HD button to see what the camera can do if you aren't data restricted. I made/used the music years ago for in-person slideshows, but most of y'all haven't heard it. It's amusing considering the content (yard work). This is the first video loaded on YouTube since they shut down Google Video. I need to upload all those videos onto YouTube and relink them ... in all my spare time...

Smiles Concert

Stephanie Olson of McKinney blows bubbles for her daughter Amelia Olson, 2, before the Smiles Charity Concert at Adriatica in McKinney on Sunday, May 25, 2014.

photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News

Wounded warrior Brian Aft was presented with a new house and Bret Michaels (formerly with Poison) performed in concert during the annual Smiles Charity Concert at Adriatica in McKinney on Sunday, May 25, 2014. The charity event raises funds and presents a wounded warrior with a new house in a good community each year.
Please also see the YouTube version of this slideshow with an original beats composition.

Mesquite Meander cemetery tour

Amanda W. Gott, played by Andrea Himmelsehr, waits for guests during the Mesquite Meander tour at the historic Mesquite Cemetery in Mesquite on Friday, May 16, 2014. The tour featured actors portraying both famous and infamous Mesquite residents.

photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News
Guests listen to the stories held within historic Mesquite Cemetery during the Mesquite Meander tour at the Mesquite Cemetery in Mesquite on Friday, May 16, 2014.

Class 5A Region I quarterfinal softball playoff

Lewisville freshman Kaylee Rodriquez (9) bats against Timberview during a Class 5A Region I quarterfinal softball playoff game at Killough field in Lewisville on Saturday, May 10, 2014.

photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News

Please watch the YouTube slideshow with an original beats SoundStripe.

Lewisville battles Timberview during a Class 5A Region I quarterfinal softball playoff game at Killough field in Lewisville on Saturday, May 10, 2014. Timberview won the first two games of the series and advanced.

WOGA Classic Gymnastic Competition

Lauren Farley of WOGA (289) performs on the balance beam during the WOGA Classic Gymnastic Competition at Dr Pepper Arena in Frisco on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014.

photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News

World-class gymnasts compete during the WOGA Classic Gymnastic Competition at Dr Pepper Arena in Frisco on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014. WOGA Gymnastics is the home of Olympic champions Nastia Liukin (2008) and Carly Patterson (2004).

Please see the YouTube version of this slideshow with an original beat composition by Mark M. Hancock. Please set your YouTube viewer to 1080p to see the show in high definition.

Bishop Dunne vs. Prestonwood basketball

Bishop Dunne junior Adam Lee (22) shoots between Prestonwood sophomore Schnider Herard (34) and senior Jocob Mathes (4) during a basketball game at Bishop Dunne High School in Dallas on Tuesday Jan. 7, 2014.

photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News

See a larger version of this slideshow.

Bishop Dunne battles Prestonwood during a high school basketball game at Bishop Dunne High School in Dallas on Tuesday Jan. 7, 2014.

Season's Greetings Y'all

Our stockings are hung on the barbed wire with care during the "ice-pocalypse" at our house in Frisco on Friday, Dec. 6, 2013.
© Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com

Lincoln vs. Liberty girls hoops playoff

Lincoln senior Katora Criner (24) leans into Frisco Liberty junior Tori Flemming (24) during a high school basketball playoff game at J.J. Pearce High School in Richardson on Feb. 18, 2011.


photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News



Lincoln sophomore Kelsey Criner (23) passes the ball to sophomore BreAnna Hayden (4) around Frisco Liberty's junior Krystal Curry (23) during a playoff game at J.J. Pearce High School.




Lincoln sophomore DreAnna Hayden (4) pulls in a rebound in front of Frisco Liberty junior Krystal Curry (23) and junior Tori Flemming (24) during a playoff game in Richardson.

North Dallas vs. South Oak Cliff boys basketball

North Dallas' Jalon Brown (00) tries to shoot around South Oak Cliff's Kenneth Hall (25) during a high school basketball game at P.C. Cobb Athletic Complex in Dallas on Feb. 12, 2011.


photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News


See a larger version of this slideshow.

North Dallas battles South Oak Cliff during a high school basketball game at P.C. Cobb Athletic Complex in Dallas on Feb. 12, 2011.

Named in this slideshow are: &nbsp Sean Miles, Roy Shelton, Geremy Aldridge, Billy Hopson, Jalon Brown, Kenneth Hall, Jemarcus Armstrong, Jamee Foote, Christopher Hyder, James Presley and Darion Hancock.

LHHS vs. BHS boys basketball

Lake Highland's Trey Bingham (35) goes to the net as Berkner's Kendal Harris (5) looks to block the ball during a district rivalry basketball game at Lake Highland High School in Dallas on Jan. 7, 2011.


photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News


See a larger version of this slideshow.

Lake Highland and Berkner battle during a district rivalry basketball game at Lake Highland High School in Dallas on Jan. 7, 2011.

Named in this slideshow are: &nbsp Taylor Stell, Soma Edo, Jordan Mickey, Trey Bingham, Xavier Thomas, Kendal Harris, Jalen Strickland, James Preston, Kym Malone and Sam Welty.

Kayak: Lake Ray Hubbard

iPhotos © Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com

The water level is so low that sections of old bridges are exposed and dry during a kayak paddle on Lake Ray Hubbard in Rowlett on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012.


See a larger version of this slideshow.

Lake Ray Hubbard and its tributaries make for entertaining kayak paddles in Dallas, Garland, Rowlett and Rockwall.

*All images made with an iPhone.

Kayak: Trinity River Elm Fork

iPhotos © Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com

Morning light is a good companion during a paddle on the Trinity River between Sam Houston Trail Park and McInnish Park in Irving on Sunday, July 29, 2012.


See a larger version of this slideshow.

The Elm Fork of the Trinity River runs from Lake Lewisville to Downtown Dallas, where it merges with the main Trinity River. It is home to an array of wildlife and a ribbon of calm solitude for kayak paddles through the heart of the Metroplex.

*All images made with an iPhone.

OPFOR Reunion

Photos © Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com

Jim Worthington, Charlie Schoenberger, Geoff Cottrell and Mark M. Hancock pose for a portrait at the Painted Rocks in Ft. Irwin, Calif. during the A Co. 6/31st Infantry reunion on Sept. 7, 2012.



After more than 25 years since their National Training Center service, former OPFOR soldiers from A Co. 6/31st Infantry reunite on Sept. 6 to 9, 2012. The group's journeys include Freemont Street in Las Vegas, Nevada; the National Training Center and the NASA/JPL Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex in Fort Irwin, California; a helicopter ride through the Grand Canyon in Arizona and back to Las Vegas.

Chichen Itza

Visitors tour Temple of Kukulkan, also called El Castillo ("the castle"), at Chichen Itza in Tinum, Yucatán, Mexico on Jan. 2, 1996.
© Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com

Chichen Itza was a major Mayan city. Friday, Dec. 21, 2012 marks the end of the 13th b'ak'tun time period of the Mesoamerican Long Count calendar. This particular date had significance to the Mayan people.

Gabbie's senior portraits

Gabbie Pitt poses for a senior portrait in the former West End Marketplace in Dallas on Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012.

Photos © Mark M. Hancock / © DFWmark.com


Gabbie Pitt poses for senior portraits around Dallas on Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012.

Grand Canyon at sunset

The Grand Canyon colors burn with the setting sun during the A Co. 6/31st Infantry reunion helicopter flight in Arizona on Sept. 8, 2012.


© Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com

This image is dedicated to our Band of Brothers. To those who lead point, those who covered our flanks and those who are bringing up the six.

Las Vegas

Photos © Mark M. Hancock / © DFWmark.com

Pigeons fly past the huge bronze lion in front of MGM Grand Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip in Las Vegas on March 29, 2012.


See a larger version of this slideshow.

The Las Vegas Strip beacons visitors and conventioneers in Las Vegas during the last week of March 2012.

Farewell Sally Ride

Former astronaut Sally Ride is introduced as a Maverick Series guest speaker in Texas Hall at the University of Texas at Arlington on Feb. 15, 2010.


Photos © Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com

Former astronaut Sally Ride speaks as part of the Maverick Series in Texas Hall at the University of Texas at Arlington on Feb. 15, 2010.

In 1983, Sally Ride became the first U.S. woman in space aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger. She died today after a 17-month battle with pancreatic cancer.

May 26, 1951 – July 23, 2012

Fort Worth Museum of Science and History

American Indian artifacts are displayed at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History in Fort Worth on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2010.
Photos © Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com


Artifacts are displayed in the permanent DinoLabs, Cattle Raisers Museum exhibits as well as the special Native American history display at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History in Fort Worth on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2010.
YouTube version of this slideshow with music composed in GarageBand by Mark M. Hancock. Please set your viewer quality to 1080p.

Sam Houston Statue

Fayrouz Hancock visits the sculpture of Sam Houston at Sam Houston Statue Visitor Center in Huntsville, Texas on May 12, 2012


Photos © Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com

See a larger version of this slideshow.

Fayrouz Hancock visits the sculpture of Sam Houston at Sam Houston Statue Visitor Center in Huntsville, Texas on May 12, 2012

"Leonardo Da Vinci: Man, Inventor, Genius" exhibit

© Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com

A hang glider based loosely on the design of a bat's wings appears to soar over visitors during the "Leonardo Da Vinci: Man, Inventor, Genius" exhibit at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History in Fort Worth on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2010.


See a larger version of this slideshow.

Leonardo Da Vinci's inventions were replicated from his drawing and are displayed during the "Leonardo Da Vinci: Man, Inventor, Genius" exhibit at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History in Fort Worth on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2010

Please also see Fayrouz's photos.

2011 Fall Cottonwood Festival

Photos and music © Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com

Attendees rest in the shade near the Cottonwood Boutique and a fountain during the fall Cottonwood Arts Festival in Richardson on Oct. 1, 2011.


Attendees view, purchase and participate in art during the fall Cottonwood Arts Festival in Richardson.

Easter lunch 2012

Photos © Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com

Desert includes petite samples of creme brulee, lemon tarts, fruit tarts and strawberry Napoleons during Easter lunch at our home in Plano on Sunday, April 8, 2012.


See a larger version of this slideshow.

The Hancock family and Michael Ainsworth have Easter lunch at our place in Plano on Sunday, April 8, 2012.

Downtown Fort Worth

Photos © Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com

One of the two 48-foot tall angels on the Grand Facade of the Bass Performance Hall appears to blow its horn in Fort Worth on Saturday, July 7, 2010.


See a larger version of this slideshow.

Fayrouz Hancock visits some sites in downtown Fort Worth on Saturday, July 7, 2010.

Catching up in 2012

If y'all haven't guessed, I'm forcing myself to catch up on old files this year. Some of these folders literally contain thousands of images to cull, edit, tone and (sometimes) caption before I make the slideshows.

Additionally, I'm still shooting assignments for newspapers, magazines and businesses while editing and publishing as many as three books each month. I also have two other major projects (unrelated to PJ) in the works.

Once I catch up, I'll start digging through my archive. As noted in December, I got a negative scanner and have several million images on the shelf.

Consequently, I have plenty of images to present in the future. Stay tuned and thanks for your patience.

Enough for now,

Dallas Zoo under new ownership

Boudreaux, a nine-foot-long albino American alligator, comes into the light in the Ghosts from the Bayou exhibit at the Dallas Zoo in Dallas on Sunday, May 30, 2010.


Photos and music © Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com


The Dallas Zoo was recently transferred from city ownership to private ownership in Dallas on Sunday, May 30, 2010.

Named in this slideshow are: Parrots, black-and-white ruffled lemur, ring-tailed lemur, collared lemur, blue and yellow macaw, great egrets, flamingos, golden lion tamarin, cotton-top tamarin, spectacled langur monkeys, Sumatran tiger, red kangaroo, Harpy eagle, bald eagle, Andean condor, red-crowned crane, tortoise, great anteater, rhino iguana, Oustalet's chameleon, veiled chameleon, Caiman lizard, Perentie monitor lizard, Fayrouz Hancock, albino American alligators, Mexican bearded lizard, Cape cobra, crocodile monitor lizard, Burmese python, collared lizards, timber rattlesnake, Eastern Diamondback rattlesnake, sailfin lizard, Asian yellow-spotted climbing toad, blue poison dart frogs, mandrill, African elephants, warthog, ostriches, giraffes, cheetahs and Boudreaux, a nine-foot-long albino American alligator.

A Co. 6/31st reunion planned

"OPFOR BRIEFING" by Patrick Farrell, Fort Irwin, California 1988

*** Polar Bears, Attention ***

This post is for former soldiers of A Co. 6/31st Infantry and/or A Co. 1/52nd Infantry (32 Guards Motorized Rifle Regiment OPFOR infantry) stationed at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, California who served honorably during the 1980s (177th Armored Brigade).

A reunion is planned for Sept. 6-9, 2012. We will rally in Las Vegas and travel to Ft. Irwin via vans on Sept. 7, 2012 for a guided tour of the new facilities, tip a drink in Barstow to our fallen brothers and return to Las Vegas that evening.

Even if you can't attend the reunion, we'd like you to join our Facebook group and share your experiences. Please contact either Mark M. Hancock or Geoff Cottrell via Facebook to be added to the group.

If you're opposed to Facebook, there is also a discussion board on the 31st Infantry Association website.

These are some Polar Bears who will be missed forever.

Phillip Albert
Terry Blanford
Steve Busch
Larry Caudy
Mack Garret
Col. Tom Hagen
Col. Jerrell E. Hamby
Greg Nicholson
Ron Paiva
Don Worland

Pro Patria! For Country!