Photographer, 16, spends 2 days in freezing hide and beats 43,135 rivals with this stunning image

Published on Wednesday 21 October 2009 21:56

MANY 16-year-olds would rather while away their time playing computer games or hanging out with friends, but not Fergus Gill, who got his teenage kicks spending two wintry days holed up in a makeshift viewing hide in his garden.

The winning shot, Clash of the Yellowhammers, was described by one competition judge as a 'joy'

Despite the freezing temperatures and snowy conditions, the keen young Perthshire photographer was determined to capture a perfect shot of yellowhammers that had gathered to feed.

His patience and hard work were rewarded last night when he was crowned Veolia Environment Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year for his dramatic photograph Clash of the Yellowhammers.

He received the coveted prize at a ceremony at London's Natural History Museum.

Spanish photographer Jos Luis Rodrguez snapped up the Veolia Environment Wildlife Photographer of the Year award for an image called The Storybook Wolf.

The pair beat off competition from a record 43,135 entries from 94 countries.

Fergus, now 17, started laying the groundwork to capture his perfect shot last summer.

He collected sheaves of oats from a local farmer to feed the birds.

Then, one evening in February, hearing that snow was forecast for the next morning, Fergus set up his hide in the garden, hung out feeders and carefully positioned a sheaf.

He rose early the next morning and got into the hide to wait. Two days later, he finally captured the photograph that he had been waiting for.

Dozens of the yellowhammers had gathered to feed, with snow falling around them.

"Every so often, I would see a fight between two males over ownership of the oats, but the spats were incredibly brief," he said.

Fergus decided to focus his efforts on capturing an image of the birds fighting for food.

It took many hours of effort to achieve both the subject matter he was aiming for and the right composition.

Commenting on Fergus's image, competition judge Mark Carwardine said: "What a joy. First your eyes go to the yellowhammer on the left, then you realise there is another one in the bushes. Split-second timing has captured the perfect wildlife moment."

Clash of the Yellowhammers will be showcased in an exhibition at the museum, which opens today.