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Jennifer George, a resident of semi-rural San Diego County, has transformed her home into a wildlife sanctuary, drawing a diverse array of animals to her backyard. What began as a simple act of offering water to coyote pups on a scorching day in 2019 has evolved into a captivating hobby, where she installed a solar-powered fountain and a hidden camera to observe and record the visiting fauna.

Jennifer's dedication has allowed her to document a wide variety of animals, from skunks and bobcats to hummingbirds and weasels, providing a unique insight into their behaviors and interactions that otherwise would remain unseen for the most part.

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Jennifer's backyard has become somewhat of a bustling oasis (especially over the years she has been doing this) where animals come to drink, play, and sometimes even splash around. Her setup is simple but effective—a solar-powered fountain that keeps the water flowing and a hidden camera capturing all the action. Each morning, she eagerly checks the footage to see which new visitors have stopped by.

One of George's favorite visitors is a family of coyotes (you can also see them in this post) that first inspired her project. She often sees the coyote pups playing near the water, and their playful antics never fail to bring a smile to her face. But it's not just the coyotes that make her backyard special. Jennifer has also spotted all sorts of animals she had never expected to see, like the elusive long-tailed weasel and the colorful western tanager.

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The hidden camera has honestly been a game-changer for the fountain owner, allowing her to observe these animals up close without disturbing them. This peek into their secret lives has given her a newfound appreciation for the local wildlife. Jennifer said she's learned about their habits, their interactions, and even their personalities. For example, she’s noticed that the bobcats are surprisingly cautious, while the raccoons are bold and curious.

#6

Woman Put A Water Fountain With A Camera In Her Yard, Here Are 37 Photos Of Regular Visitors (New Pics)

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Corella Fleabane
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cooper’s hawk on the high board, hoping to medal in this event and also have a nice soak

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That being said, Jennifer’s project has also sparked interest in her community (aside from social media like Instagram and TikTok). Neighbors and friends often ask her about the latest visitors, and she shares her favorite clips online. Her videos have captivated many, showing just how diverse and vibrant the local wildlife can be.

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"I live in a semi-rural area in San Diego County on a large property, and used to see animals outside in our yard. On a particularly hot day in 2019, I saw a family of coyote pups looking for water," Jennifer explained, when asked what inspired her to start offering water to wildlife in her backyard. "I thought it would be fun to help them out and put out a bowl of water. I didn't want to make them dependent on us for food, so water seemed like a good idea. That's how it all started, and it quickly turned into a hobby that I absolutely love."

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When asked to share one of her most memorable moments captured on the hidden camera, George recounted, "One of my favorite moments was seeing the coyote pups playing around the fountain. They were so playful and carefree, it was just heartwarming to watch. Another memorable moment was spotting a long-tailed weasel for the first time. I've lived in Southern California all my life and had never seen one before. It was a real treat to capture that on camera."

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Woman Put A Water Fountain With A Camera In Her Yard, Here Are 37 Photos Of Regular Visitors (New Pics)

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BatPhace
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe this Pic can find this ones owner? He's obviously not a coyote....

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Jennifer has observed changes in the animals' behavior over time since she started this project. "I've noticed that some of the animals, like the raccoons and skunks, have become more regular visitors and seem quite comfortable coming to the fountain," she noted. "The bobcats, on the other hand, are still very cautious and tend to visit late at night when it's quieter. It's interesting to see how different animals adapt and interact with the environment over time."

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Woman Put A Water Fountain With A Camera In Her Yard, Here Are 37 Photos Of Regular Visitors (New Pics)

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Tami Williams
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like he is bringing you something as a thank you! That’s what Crows do…

Tommy Woods
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Love the pics, love your approach to landscaping, gardening and nature. That includes humans, and this one just turned 70 two weeks ago

Dian Hamadyk
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

“🎶dum de dum, la de da, life is good…….OH SNAP ‼️ Pool partay”💦💦💦🍾🏖🌠🎇

Timbob
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That’s NOT a fountain. It’s a plastic pan of water !

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For those interested in creating a similar sanctuary for local wildlife, Jennifer offered some practical advice. "I'd say start small, like I did, with just a bowl of water. Make sure it's clean and refill it regularly. If you can, set up a simple camera to observe the animals without disturbing them. It's also important to avoid feeding them, as that can make them dependent and potentially cause problems. Just providing water, especially in hot and dry areas, can make a big difference."

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Reflecting on how her project has impacted her relationship with her community and their view of local wildlife, Jennifer shared, "It's been really positive! Neighbors and friends often ask about the latest visitors, and they love seeing the videos I share on social media. It's sparked a lot of interest and appreciation for the local wildlife. I think it's helped people see the beauty and diversity of the animals we live alongside, and it's made them more mindful about how they interact with the natural world around them."

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Woman Put A Water Fountain With A Camera In Her Yard, Here Are 37 Photos Of Regular Visitors (New Pics)

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Dave Walters
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's all brilliant. the best wildlife in my garden was a Grass Snake which flew over in the talons of a Common Buzzard. It didn't seem very happy about it! Yes I too am in Great Britain :-(

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Woman Put A Water Fountain With A Camera In Her Yard, Here Are 37 Photos Of Regular Visitors (New Pics)

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Miz Melatonin
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These are all such wonderful pictures of beautiful creatures enjoying the water. I'm glad you did this and that it's well used by the locals.

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