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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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#1

Wet and Wondering

Bird standing in water fountain in a yard with camera capturing regular visitors to the outdoor space.

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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.

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    #2

    Up Close and Thirsty

    Coyote drinking from a water fountain in a yard, captured by a camera monitoring regular visitors.

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    #3

    Stealth Mode Activated

    Bobcat drinking from a water fountain in a yard monitored by a camera, surrounded by plants and rocks.

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    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.

    #4

    Desert Oasis Vibes

    Mountain lion drinking water from a fountain in a yard monitored by a camera capturing regular visitors outdoors.

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    #5

    Sunbathing Side Eye

    Coyote resting near a water fountain in a yard captured by a camera recording regular visitors outdoors.

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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.

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    #6

    Waiting for the perfect sip

    Bird standing at a water fountain captured by a camera in a yard with plants and bricks surrounding the area.

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    #7

    H20 or Bust

    Squirrel drinking from a water fountain in a yard monitored by a camera capturing regular visitors.

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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.

    "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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    #8

    Thirsty and Feeling Fine

    Young deer drinking from a water fountain in a yard monitored by a camera capturing regular visitors.

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    #9

    Wild Curiosity Moments

    Bobcat approaching a water fountain in a yard monitored by a camera, showing regular visitors captured outdoors.

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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."

    #10

    Midnight Thirst Chronicles

    Two wild animals captured by camera drinking from a water fountain in a yard at night as regular visitors.

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    #11

    Thirst Quenched Moments

    Dog drinking water from a water fountain in a yard monitored by a camera capturing regular visitors outdoors.

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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."

    #12

    Garden Guest on Patrol

    Bird near a water fountain in a yard with a camera capturing regular visitors in an outdoor garden setting.

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    #13

    Snack Spy Games

    Blue and gray bird perched on a water fountain captured by a camera in a woman's yard among greenery and flowers.

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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."

    #14

    Unexpected Bird Spa Day

    Bird drinking water from a fountain in a yard with a camera capturing regular visitors in a natural garden setting.

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    #15

    Winged Splash Zone

    Bird flapping wings on water fountain in yard captured by camera showing regular visitors outdoors.

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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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    #16

    Sip Happens

    Coyote approaching a water fountain monitored by a camera in a yard with greenery and clear blue sky.

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    #17

    Midnight Visitor Alert

    Coyote captured by camera near a water fountain in a yard during nighttime in a natural setting.

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    #18

    Nature’s Little Bystander

    Small bird near a blue water fountain in a sunny yard with green plants and stone steps captured by a camera.

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    #19

    Sip Happens Here

    Small bird visiting a water fountain in a yard equipped with a camera to capture regular visitors in nature.

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    #20

    Garden Party Crashers

    Duck by a water fountain in a yard monitored by a camera, showing regular visitors captured outdoors.

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    #21

    Sunbathing or Spy Mission?

    Cat sitting by a water fountain in a yard with a camera capturing regular visitors in natural sunlight.

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    #22

    Quiet Moments by the Pond

    Small bird drinking water at a yard fountain captured by a camera among lush green plants on a sunny day

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    #23

    Waiting for the Perfect Sip

    Bird visiting a water fountain with a camera set in a yard, capturing regular wildlife visitors up close.

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    #24

    Garden Secrets Unveiled

    A water fountain in a yard with a camera captures a bird drinking, surrounded by dry plants and stone steps.

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