Introduction
The Ural Owl (Strix uralensis) is a majestic, large woodland owl known for its soulful dark eyes and pale facial disc, creating an unmistakable presence in European forests. Capturing this elusive bird through your lens is both a technical challenge and a rewarding photographic experience, adding ethereal beauty to your wildlife portfolio, Ural Owl Photography.
In this post, I share practical tips, species facts, and field insights to help you photograph the Ural Owl confidently and ethically, whether in managed environments or during future trips to their natural habitats.
Table of Contents
Location: Millets Falconry Centre, Oxfordshire
📍 Millets Falconry Centre
Millets Farm Centre, Kingston Road, Frilford, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX13 5HB
Millets Falconry Website
While photographing wild Ural Owls in Europe often requires travel, Millets Falconry provides a rare UK opportunity to observe and photograph this beautiful owl species in a controlled environment.
Facilities:
- On-site café, farm shop, and toilets
- Easy parking with accessible paths
- Woodland-style settings for more natural backdrops
The Falconry Experience for Photographers
Photographing the Ural Owl at Millets Falconry offers opportunities for both perched portraits and short controlled flight demonstrations, allowing you to practice your low-light owl photography techniques.
✅ Perched Shots: The Ural Owl’s large size and calm demeanour provide a chance to experiment with compositions and soft lighting.
✅ Natural Backdrops: Millets often sets owls in woodland-like settings for realistic context.
✅ Flight Sessions: The slow, deliberate flight of the Ural Owl is ideal for practicing birds-in-flight photography.
The handlers understand wildlife photographers’ needs while prioritising the owl’s welfare, enabling ethical, stress-free photography sessions.
About the Ural Owl
The Ural Owl is a medium-large owl widely distributed across Europe and Asia, favouring mature forests and mixed woodlands. Its pale face and long tail distinguish it from the Tawny Owl, while its haunting presence makes it a favourite among wildlife photographers.
Here is a Table of Facts for your field notes:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Strix uralensis |
| Wingspan | 110–134 cm |
| Weight | 500–1300 grams |
| Plumage | Pale greyish-brown with streaking |
| Facial Disc | Pale, with dark eyes |
| Habitat | Mature forests, mixed woodlands |
| Diet | Small mammals, birds, large insects |
| Call | Deep, resonant hoots |
Their calm nature and soulful gaze offer excellent photographic opportunities for wildlife storytelling.
Ural Owl Facts for Photographers
✅ Striking Eyes: The dark, expressive eyes of the Ural Owl are the emotional anchor in portraits.
✅ Feather Detail: Their fine streaking and soft plumage photograph beautifully in soft light.
✅ Composed Presence: Ural Owls often perch calmly, allowing time to refine your composition.
✅ Flight Shots: Their deliberate, slow flight makes them easier to track compared to smaller owls.
Photography Tips for Ural Owls
✅ Use Soft Lighting: Overcast days or shaded areas prevent harsh highlights on the pale plumage.
✅ Focus on the Eyes: Ensure eyes are pin-sharp using single-point AF or eye detection.
✅ Shutter Speed: Use 1/500s for perched shots; for in-flight, aim for 1/1600s or faster.
✅ Aperture: f/4–f/5.6 for portraits; adjust as needed for depth of field in group shots.
✅ Backgrounds: Position yourself for clean backgrounds or incorporate woodland textures for context.
✅ Observe Behaviour: Capture the owl’s head turns and pre-flight postures to add storytelling depth.
Closing Thoughts
Photographing the Ural Owl offers a peaceful yet powerful wildlife photography experience. Its calm, soulful presence paired with its striking plumage provides endless opportunities to create images with emotional depth and compositional strength.
Using controlled environments like Millets Falconry to hone your skills prepares you for photographing these owls ethically in the wild, where patience and fieldcraft are essential.
Whether you’re building your portfolio of owl species or seeking to capture the quiet power of forest wildlife, Ural Owl photography is an experience that will leave you inspired.
FAQ
Q: Can I photograph Ural Owls in the wild in the UK?
A: No, Ural Owls are not native to the UK; they are found across Europe and Asia. Falconry centres provide rare opportunities to photograph them here.
Q: What lens is ideal for Ural Owl photography?
A: A 70-200mm or 100-400mm lens works well for both portrait and flight shots.
Q: Is it possible to photograph Ural Owls in flight?
A: Yes, the Ural Owl’s slower, deliberate flight allows you to practice tracking for in-flight shots.
Q: What settings are best for owl portraits?
A: Use f/4–f/5.6, 1/500s, and ISO adjusted to light conditions to balance sharpness and detail.
Q: When is the best time to photograph owls?
A: Overcast days or late afternoon provides soft light, preventing harsh shadows on the owl’s pale plumage.
