Barred Owl released into Carkeek Park

This male Barred Owl was found injured by the side of the road in Seattle's Carkeek Park.

Luckily, PAWS' nationally renowned Wildlife Center is nearby and he was taken there for several weeks of rehabilitation.

My neighbor works at the Center, and was kind enough to let me know that the rehabilitated owl was going to be released back into Carkeek Park from their backyard, which borders the park.

In this video, you'll see the owl released from his travel crate, whereupon he flies to a nearby shed to get his bearings. He barely has a few moments to look around before a crow first screams a challenge at him, and then attacks him from behind.

The owl escapes to a nearby tree where the crow can't get at him. I stopped filming at this point, but later, when things had calmed down a bit, the owl began hooting. He was soon answered by another nearby owl, perhaps his mate. Sounds like a happy ending to me!