The Ural Owl at Skånes Djurpark, the zoo in the middle of Scania was nearly invisible at first. Nestled deep in the shaded corner of its enclosure, behind a curtain of birch leaves, it watched the world with a stillness that felt more ancient than animal. It didn’t move. Not a blink, not a twitch — just those black eyes, bottomless and softly alert.
Species Spotlight: Ural Owl (Strix uralensis)
With a pale, disc-like face framed by marbled feathers and hauntingly dark eyes, the Ural Owl is one of Europe’s most enigmatic forest dwellers. Native to the boreal and mixed woodlands of Scandinavia and eastern Europe, it prefers quiet old-growth forests where it can nest in tree hollows and hunt in low light. Unlike many owls, it hunts even in daylight, gliding silently over mossy ground in search of small mammals.
What struck me most was the shape of its gaze — not aggressive or fearful, but deeply present. A gaze that belongs to the forest itself, as if the trees had grown eyes.
The Photographer’s View
📍 Skånes Djurpark, Sweden
📷 Sony A7R V + Sony FE 200–600mm G OSS
⚙️ 1/250 sec • f/6.3 • ISO 3200
This shot was taken handheld in low light, with the lens reaching just past a cluster of leaves. I lowered myself to keep the line of sight unobtrusive, waiting patiently until the owl tilted its head ever so slightly toward the clearing. The soft, diffused light helped keep contrast low, preserving those fine facial textures.
The Ural Owl’s Call to the Flock
Have you ever had an owl encounter that stayed with you? Perhaps a dusk call, or a glimpse from a tree hollow? Share your stories — or tag someone who needs a little owl magic today 🖤🦉
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