This photo won the top prize in the National Wildlife Refuge Photo Contest. (Ted Steinke)

Ted Steinke has come a long way since his days of snapping photos as evidence for the Food and Drug Administration. The Layton resident has been shooting wildlife photography since 1972. On most days he can be found in the marshes of the Great Salt Lake, looking to capture the wonder he witnesses there.

Steinke's time spent in the swarms of insects and mud was recently rewarded when he was named winner of the 2009 National Wildlife Refuge Photography Contest, hosted by the National Wildlife Refuge Association. Steinke's image of two northern harriers competing for a dead duck at the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge was picked for the grand prize over more than 2,000 other entries.

Steinke was at the Bear River Migratory Refuge west of Brigham City in March when he noticed a harrier on a dead duck on the marsh ice.

"If you are lucky enough to find them feeding on dead waterfowl you know they are really hungry," said Steinke, who frequently contributes his photos to the Tribune 's weekly Bird Sightings feature. "It concentrates them and you are bound to get some interaction shots."

He made it within 25 yards of the raptors, pointed his camera, checked the settings and waited.

"I thought I had some pretty good shots, but you never know until you get home and put it up on the computer," he said. "That's what it takes to make sure it is a sharp shot. I just about shouted out loud when I saw that picture come up."

Steinke says he shoots for fun and isn't focused on selling his work, although he will, given the chance. He plans on using the $5,000 award to buy another camera.

This isn't the first-time Steinke has gained notice in the refuge contest. He finished fifth on his first try in the contest, and last year he earned an honorable mention.

"It will be hard to beat that shot," he said of the harriers. "You have got to be lucky and in the right situation and be prepared."

Which means Steinke will be back in the marsh braving the bugs, extreme heat or bitter cold looking for his next great shot.

To see more of Steinke's work visit www.greatwildlifeimages.com.

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