Melbourne: An Indian-origin scientist has bagged first prize in a photo competition in Australia for his shot on deep red and orange coloured autumn trees. Expressing his delight over his win, 54-year-old Vijay Koul said he won the award in his second attempt in 'The Canberra Times Autumn Photo Competition'. "I had participated in The Canberra Times winter photo competition last year but could not win it. However, that picture got into print in the newspaper," Koul said.

"I am very happy to win it this time," he said. His shot on vibrant and deep red and orange coloured autumn trees at the time of sunset with Kangaroos grazing in a local park won the first prize. "The beauty of this picture reminds me of my birthplace, Kashmir," he said. "I'm now planning to collate my work on autumn in Canberra in a photobook," he said, adding that pictures of Kashmir would also be a part of that book as well.

The scientist's photo stood first among over 350 entries which were received during the contest that was open for three months. He found the colours of autumn in Canberra so appealing and beautiful that he now had shot over hundred pictures. Koul, for whom photography became a passion after he started clicking on social events, said the competition was a fierce one as he was competing with many professional photographers Down Under.