Hot squirrel

Mark M. Hancock / © The Dallas Morning News

A squirrel takes a break from the afternoon heat in a tree at the Colleyville Nature Center in Colleyville on Thursday, August 7, 2003. The center was established in 1996 with 46 acres of natural refuge, nine ponds, 3.5 miles of multi-use trails, an amphitheater, covered pavilion, grills, rest benches, a playground and a fishing pier.

Speed climber

Mark M. Hancock / © The Dallas Morning News

Shannon Lochridge, 10, climbs the structures at Summit Climbing Gym in Grapevine on Thursday, August 7, 2003. Lochridge is a member to the U.S. national climbing team, where she qualified in both the speed and difficulty categories.

This young lady was simply amazing. I had to climb the wall in the background with some of my equipment for another shoot a few weeks earlier, so I knew how much effort (and sweat) it takes. She flew to the top of this obstacle like she had wings.

Experimental Kahlo

Mark M. Hancock / © The Dallas Morning News

Maryam Baig, (from right to left) Alana Macias, Julian Guevara, Edward Cisneros and Justin Brumit pose for a portrait at the Bath House Cultural Center in Dallas on Friday, July 11, 2003. They perform in "To DIE:GO In Leaves." The play is an experimental drama based on the life and writings of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.

Contemplative walk

Mark M. Hancock / © The Dallas Morning News

Barbara Kalley (from left to right), Peggy Hookey, Dee Lewis, and Sally Jones walk an outdoor labyrinth at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Oak Cliff on Sunday, June 22, 2003. The labyrinth is an 11 circuit design modeled on one in the Chartres Cathedral in France. The public is welcome to walk the pattern, and it is always open.

Busted

Mark M. Hancock / © The Dallas Morning News

Officer Chris Huski (right) of the Grand Prairie Police Department warns Dustin Manning (left) and Eric Legrand (center) of St. Louis, Mo. about their personal water craft behavior during lake patrol on Joe Pool Lake on Saturday, June 14, 2003.
The police patrol is responsible for the safety and security of water surface and the lake parks of Joe Pool Lake recreational area.

Overwhelming fortress

Mark M. Hancock / © The Dallas Morning News

WW II veteran Hubert Carpenter of Pittsburg, Texas is overwhelmed with emotion after a flight in a B-17 Flying Fortress at Arlington Municipal Airport in Arlington on Sunday, June 8, 2003. His wife Pat Carpenter (right) was on hand to share the moment. It was the first time Carpenter flew in a B-17 bomber since his was shot down over Germany.

Baseball playoff tag

Mark M. Hancock / © The Dallas Morning News

Preston McGinnis (No. 2, left) flies as Highland Park's Justin Walker (No. 25, right) tries to regain balance after a run down near home plate during a Region II semi-finals baseball playoff at Allen High School in Allen on Saturday, May 24, 2003. Highland Park won this game 3-2 and tied the series at 1-1.

Aiming high

Mark M. Hancock / © The Dallas Morning News

Birdville High School senior Toby Zelt practices at the school in North Richland Hills for the state pole vaulting competition on Wednesday, May 7, 2003.

Kangaroo Loin

The Lonesome Dove presents a Rosemary Scented Kangaroo Loin with Blue Corn Polenta Cheese Cake, Baby Green Salad and Agave Demi at the western bistro in Fort Worth on Tuesday, April 29, 2003.

Mark M. Hancock / © The Dallas Morning News

Mercy pairing

Mercy restaurant offers a Flight Food & Wine Pairing at the restaurant in Addison on Saturday, April 19, 2003. Customers choose three selections each of food and wine. This selection includes: (from left to right) Seared scallop and celery root salad with watercress paired with Famega Vinho Verde 2000, Braised beef (pot a feu) with haricots verts and sweet potato mashers paired with Tapiz 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon, and Press chocolate tarte with almond cream paired with Lang & Reed Cab Franc 1999.

Mark M. Hancock / © The Dallas Morning News


I shouldn't have included the candle. It's a distraction.

Burn jump

Los Angeles Galaxy's Simon Elliott (No. 12) jumps over the head of Dallas Burn's Chad Deering (No. 15) to get to the ball during the home opening Major League Soccer game at Dragon Stadium in Southlake on Saturday, April 12, 2003. The game ended as a 1-1 tie after two overtime periods.


Mark M. Hancock / © The Dallas Morning News

Jazz bass

John Adams of the John Adams Trio jazz band plays a bass in the Grapevine city Gazebo off Main Street in downtown Grapevine on Thursday, April 3, 2003. The Convention and Visitors Bureau sponsors free concerts each Thursday to spur area shopping.

Mark M. Hancock / © The Dallas Morning News

Soccer collision

Mark M. Hancock / © The Dallas Morning News

Flower Mound Marcus' Brittany Cleveland (No. 9, right) and Colleyville Heritage's Marisa Schieda (No. 16, left) collide near the ball during the Class 5A Region I girls soccer championship at Pennington Field Stadium in Bedford on Saturday, March 29, 2003.

China Wang Buffet

China Wang Buffet offers several chef specialties such as Seaweed Rolls (clockwise from top, left), Ebi Shrimp and Peach Shape Pockets at the restaurant in Lewisville on Thursday, February 27, 2003.

Mark M. Hancock / © The Dallas Morning News

Fort Worth Dallas Ballet

Mark M. Hancock / © The Dallas Morning News

Michael Clark (left) and Scott Thompson (right) shelter Michele Gifford (left to right), Marcella Ducsay and Christy Miller as they perform Ben Stevenson's "Four Last Songs" as part of the Fort Worth Dallas Ballet's "Three of Hearts" valentine repertory program at Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth during a dress rehearsal on Thursday, February 13, 2003.

Happy Valentine's Day

Kevin Mitchell of Grapevine talks to his 22-month-old daughter Macie Mitchell during a Valentine's family dance at the Grapevine Community Activities Center in Grapevine on Saturday, February 8, 2003.

Mark M. Hancock / © The Dallas Morning News

The Pretzel Hold

Mark M. Hancock / © The Dallas Morning News

Martin's Parker Ryan (left) tries to dislodge Colleyville Heritage's Corey Howard (right) from his back during the Region II 112-pound wrestling championship at South Grand Prairie High School on Saturday, February 8, 2003. Ryan won the match.

Every time I see this image, it takes me a moment to mentally untangle which limbs belong to whom. I like the pained expression on the nearest wrestler's face. Competitive wrestling makes for great facial expressions and strange body positions.

Applying pressure

Mark M. Hancock / © The Dallas Morning News

Matt Sansone of Arlington Martin puts pressure on Trinity's Roger Miller during the Region II 135-pound wrestling championship at South Grand Prairie High School on Saturday, February 8, 2003.

Glenhopeful face

Mark M. Hancock / © The Dallas Morning News

Glenhope Elementary School kindergartener Summer Hamilton makes a face at Eric Collins during a pizza, pillow and movie party at the school in Colleyville on Friday, February 7, 2003.

Wrestling brothers

Argyle High School brothers Jeff (left) and Josh (right) Martz pose for a portrait at the school on Wednesday, February 5, 2003. They will both go to the regional wrestling championships. Josh, a junior, wrestles at 130 pounds and has made it to state before. Jeff, a freshman, competes in the 135-pound weight class.
 


Mark M. Hancock / © The Dallas Morning News
Believe it or not, this is shot in a well-lit gym. It's shot at f/22 at 1/500th second, so the available light isn't even on the radar. However, it's really hard to frame shots for something you can't see (the reflection).

Theatrical make up

Mark M. Hancock / © The Dallas Morning News

DeLorean McGee (left) applies makeup onto Nevin Pollard (right) as Grand Prairie High School Ninth Grade Center students prepare for a performance at the school on Wednesday, February 4, 2003.

Splish Splash

Mark M. Hancock / © The Dallas Morning News

Freshmen Whitney Hall of Flower Mound High School (left) and Brittany Barwegen of Flower Mound Marcus High School (right) make a splash at the Lewisville ISD Natatorium on Wednesday, January 22, 2003. The duo were formerly on the same club team, but now they are top competitors against one another.

Any PJ who's ever shot a female in a swim suit knows the wrath of the grannys. For some reason, it's fine to shoot guys in nothing but a Speedo. But when it's girls, it's somehow a problem.

Nonetheless, girls are competitive swimmers too. So, to get around some obvious problems with an image of girls by a pool, I had them kick their feet in the water on one side of the pool while I shot with a 200mm from the other side.

It took several frames, but in this frame the water droplets cover all the objectionable parts while leaving their faces relatively unobscured. Thus, no complaint calls.

Enough for now,

Cirque Manipulation

Maria Silaeva performs "Manipulation" with a hoop during the Cirque du Soleil presentation of "Alegria" at Fair Park in Dallas on Wednesday, January 22, 2003.

Mark M. Hancock / © The Dallas Morning News

Soleil Contortion

Mark M. Hancock / © The Dallas Morning News

Chimed Ulziibayar performs "Contortion" during the Cirque du Soleil presentation of "Alegria" at Fair Park in Dallas on Wednesday, January 22, 2003.

Wet Dog rescuers

Mark M. Hancock / © The Dallas Morning News

Shadow, a 5-year-old black Labrador retriever, brings a buoy to his owner Charlene Dunn of Arlington while Tyler (right), a 6-year-old rottweiler, pulls Mim Aiken (left) of Arlington to safety with a rope at Lake Grapevine on Saturday, August 3, 2002. The dogs and their owners participated in the Wet Dog class for K-9 assisted water rescue.
 

Hella a yawn

Dallas Hella Shrine Blackhorse Patrol member Jasper Fisher (left) holds back a chuckle while Craig Pelt (right) lets loose a yawn before the opening ceremony of the Mickey Mantle World Series in McKinney on Wednesday, July 31, 2002. Pelt continued the evening as the home plate umpire for the baseball game between the Puerto Rico Raiders and the McKinney Mavericks.

Mark M. Hancock / © The Dallas Morning News
 

Carboard Boat Regatta

Mark M. Hancock / © The Dallas Morning News

The Wives of the Young Men for Arlington organization celebrate as they outpaddle and beat their husbands' boat during the Arlington River Legacy Foundation's Cardboard Boat Regatta at Hurricane Harbor in Arlington on Saturday, April 27, 2002. Members of the "S. S. High Maintenance" are (from front to back of the boat) Toni Fulks, Suzanne Cottraux, Pam McQuitty, Susan Sanders and Laura Perkins.

Ballet Folklorico break

Mark M. Hancock / © The Dallas Morning News

Matthew Hernandez (left of center), 11, clears his mind during a brief break at HACE Ballet Folklorico practice at Garcia Elementary in Grand Prairie on Wednesday, April 24, 2002. The group will perform at the Grand Prairie Arts Council concert series and at upcoming Cinco de Mayo events.
Other dancers taking a break include Jaclyn White (from left to right) , 8, Michelle Hernandez, 10, Stephanie Gomez, 8, and Bianca Nieto, 9.

HACE, which is an acronym for Hispanic Association for Culture and Education, raises scholarship money for Hispanic youths though dance lesson tuition.

Gopher victory

Vasni Molina of Grand Prairie celebrates his second-place finish before South Grand Prairie's Duane Brown (left) in the varsity boys 800 meter race during the District 7-5A track and field finals in Duncanville on Friday, April 12, 2002.

Mark M. Hancock / © The Dallas Morning News

Eye on the puck

Plano West's Trey Boylan watches an inbound puck from a Coppell player during the consolation Metroplex championship round of the Southwestern Bell Metroplex High School Hockey League at the Dr Pepper StarCenter in Irving on March 14, 2002. Coppell won the Consolation game.

Mark M. Hancock / © The Dallas Morning News