A photographer’s long wait for the perfect picture of a waxwing paid off after he won the Scottish Nature Photographer of the Year 2010 competition.

Ron McCombe, who is a professional photographer from Coldstream in Berwickshire, beat off competition from more than 1,000 entrants to take the top prize in the contest, which was held for the first time.

He spent a whole day securing the perfect images of waxwings, with his entry ensuring he was awarded the Scottish Wildlife category and the overall winning title.

Ron said: “I’m delighted to hear the news of my win. I took the picture in Musselburgh, having heard on the grapevine that waxwings were in the area.

“I was waiting for a bright frosty day and when the forecast was right I set off very early in the morning.

“I drove around Musselburgh looking and listening and eventually found them in a sorbus tree. I stayed until I got the images I wanted, which was most of the day until the sun started to set and the temperature dropped.”

Winners of the other categories were: Scottish Landscape – Brian D Clark, Natural Abstract – Phil McMenemy and Environmental – Ray Liversidge.

Ron's winning photo of a waxwing.