National Wildlife Refuge Association (NWRA) recently announced the winners of the 2008 Refuge Photo Contest, a digital photo contest showcasing America's national wildlife refuges and the diverse wildlife that depend on them. The winners were announced in celebration of the 105th anniversary of the establishment of the first National Wildlife Refuge on March 14, 1903, and mark the third year of this exciting contest.

Amateur photographer Dr. Mack Barham of Monroe, Louisiana won top honors in the contest, which received more than 2,000 images from over 150 refuges from 45 states and territories. Dr. Barham, a Wild Bird Center customer, gave Monroe franchisee Sissy Miller and Sean Miller a sneak peek of his photograph before submitting it for entry. Barham's winning photograph is an amazing shot of egrets captured in fog at Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Barham claims, "Really, that shot was an accident. I wasn't there looking for anything like that, but when I saw the egrets, and then the fog, I knew I wanted to shoot it. It is one of the most unique photographs I have ever gotten."

Franchisee Sean Miller knows Dr. Barham as a customer and a friend. Miller credits Barham with "utilizing the national wildlife refuge systems in one of the best possible ways - taking pictures of wildlife and sharing them with the public, which will hopefully inspire others to discover our wonderful refuge system."

Barham will be flown to Washington, DC for an awards ceremony on April 5. He then returns to Louisiana where he will receive the grand prize, a 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, at a presentation at Black Bayou Lake Nationall Wildlife Refuge, where he shot the winning image.

"The contest results are testimonial both to the wealth of talent possessed by amateur outdoor photographers across the nation, and to the spectacular beauty that can be found at our national wildlife refuges," said Evan Hirsche, President of the NWRA.

To view the winning images and Image Library, visit: http://www.refugenet.org/contest/2008Winners.html.

Wild Bird Centers of America supports the Youth Refuge Photography Category, Senior & Junior age groups and has provided prizes in the form of bird & squirrel feeders. These winners will be announced the week of March 30.

Established in 1985, Wild Bird Centers of America, Inc. is a specialized franchise with more than 80 stores in the United States and Canada.    Each Wild Bird Center franchise is dedicated to helping retail customers build a better backyard birding experience, by providing the finest, field-tested quality products, old-fashioned customer service from fellow bird enthusiasts, and expert advice. Wild Bird Centers also serves as an active community resource, providing demonstrations, educational workshops and children's programs. For more information, visit the WBCA website at www.wildbird.com or call (800) 945-3247, 202.