The Weekly Collegial Show Your Photos Starting 19 January 2026 Any Brand

This is the weekly Collegial Show Your Photos Any Brand thread where we invite you to show your own pictures. It is collegial in that it is a pleasant and friendly place among photographers to share.

I will begin this thread each Monday (Pacific Standard Time) to give each of you all the chance to share your weekend photos with us, for those that follow a regular work week schedule and choose to do it that way. But the pictures can be taken at any time with any camera, including your cell phone. It's open to all skill levels from beginners to advanced. The images posted can be anything from casual snaps to extraordinary. I'll be sure to comment to each of your photos, if you choose to share. Replies from others are encouraged also.

The intent of this thread to mainly to just show photos in a relaxed way and to generate replies or comments about them. Generally I'm not planning to critique any image unless asked. But I or we may ask things about a photo that may develop into a discussion, always being friendly and helpful. It has been a request that I mention this and from what I've learned from past experience: Can you ask a member first if they would mind you editing their photos?

Remember it's all about the enjoyment of taking pictures regardless of what we have. We can learn from each. Please share any tips or techniques too. A narrative sometimes also helps. Thanks everyone for your participation.

Subject: Hooded Merganser

In the winter months, I can sometimes find these Hooded Merganser ducks, but they are shy like the Wood Ducks. Sometimes a few of them will swim close if they are among Mallard Ducks that are used to being near people. I took these on two different days, at the end of last month.

Photo No. 1 - The male Hooded Merganser can be distinctly seen with its large hood.

Model - Canon EOS 800D
ExposureTime - 1/400 seconds
FNumber - 10
ISOSpeedRatings - 8000
ExposureBiasValue - -0.33
FocalLength - 600 mm
Lens Model - TAMRON SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD A011

Photo No. 2 - As it moves in the water, we see the background change...

Model - Canon EOS 800D
ExposureTime - 1/400 seconds
FNumber - 10
ISOSpeedRatings - 2500
ExposureBiasValue - -0.33
FocalLength - 600 mm
Lens Model - TAMRON SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD A011

Photo No. 3 - ...such that we can get a lot of pretty colors.

Model - Canon EOS 800D
ExposureTime - 1/400 seconds
FNumber - 10
ISOSpeedRatings - 3200
ExposureBiasValue - 0
FocalLength - 600 mm
Lens Model - TAMRON SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD A011

Photo No. 4 - It is fortunate when I can see them a little closer.

Model - Canon EOS 800D
ExposureTime - 1/400 seconds
FNumber - 11
ISOSpeedRatings - 1000
ExposureBiasValue - 0
FocalLength - 600 mm
Lens Model - TAMRON SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD A011

Photo No. 5 - Again....

Model - Canon EOS 800D
ExposureTime - 1/400 seconds
FNumber - 11
ISOSpeedRatings - 1250
ExposureBiasValue - 0
FocalLength - 600 mm
Lens Model - TAMRON SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD A011

Photo No. 6 - Sometimes I'll see them swimming quite far away, but I think these make a nice photograph too.

Model - Canon EOS 800D
ExposureTime - 1/320 seconds
FNumber - 10
ISOSpeedRatings - 320
ExposureBiasValue - -0.33
FocalLength - 450 mm
Lens Model - TAMRON SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD A011

Photo No. 7 - I was in luck that I found one very close to me near some Mallard Ducks, but the lighting was bad.

Model - Canon EOS 800D
ExposureTime - 1/400 seconds
FNumber - 10
ISOSpeedRatings - 6400
ExposureBiasValue - 0.67
FocalLength - 483 mm
Lens Model - TAMRON SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD A011

Photo No. 8 - Now I saw a female Hooded Merganser duck, but the lighting was even worse. But at least I got one female duck photo.

Model - Canon EOS 800D
ExposureTime - 1/400 seconds
FNumber - 10
ISOSpeedRatings - 2000
ExposureBiasValue - 1
FocalLength - 600 mm
Lens Model - TAMRON SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD A011

Photo No. 9 - I saw another male duck, but I did not like the background as much.

Model - Canon EOS 800D
ExposureTime - 1/400 seconds
FNumber - 10
ISOSpeedRatings - 12800
ExposureBiasValue - 1.33
FocalLength - 600 mm
Lens Model - TAMRON SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD A011

Photo No. 10 - And finally my last one....

Model - Canon EOS 800D
ExposureTime - 1/400 seconds
FNumber - 10
ISOSpeedRatings - 6400
ExposureBiasValue - 0.33
FocalLength - 600 mm
Lens Model - TAMRON SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD A011

Have seen these ducks in the Zoo but can't recall if I have seen them in the wild.
Wikipedia states it's a bird that is a United States and Canada native bird

After a few nice, dry and even sunny days the sunday was a foggy day, but still we wanted to go out for a hike.
Visited our own local forest the Asserbos for a nice stroll with a small selection of our gear
the R8 was paired with the RF 28-70 F2.8 IS STM and one R6-II was used with the RF 28mm F2.8 pancake and the new RF 45mm F1.2 STM
And As mentioned in an other thread, I still suffer from G.A.S. 😜
Couldn't resist and bought a Canon RF 45mm F1.2 STM.
Actually a nice lens to use, I only have to get used to the just a bit slower AF compared to the VCM lenses we also have.

Photobygms,

Your photos are so nice. You make me want to go on a nature hike as well. I like seeing the great blue heron in the first photo too.

Thanks, Being out in nature is nice, we do like to go out when we can 😎