ADVERTISEMENT

Jennifer George lives in a semi-rural area in San Diego County and used to watch various animals wandering into her yard from a distance until she thought of a genius idea to take a better look. On a hot day in 2019, she decided to get some water for a family of coyote pups and a wholesome hobby took off from there.

She started with a simple metal bowl of water which became pretty popular among local animals as it can get pretty hot in California and it has since been upgraded into a real 'animal thirst trap'—a bigger bowl and a solar fountain. Now a variety of animals come to visit George's backyard every day for a refreshing drink or free pool party. But the best part is that we can explore feathered, furry, and even scaly critters and their behavior from up close thanks to a hidden camera set up outside the fountain. And some of them, like snakes and coyotes, you probably wouldn't like to meet in person anyway!

More info: Instagram | tiktok.com

#1

Backyard-Water-Fountain-Hidden-Camera-Animal-Photos-Jennifer-George

jenniferegeorge Report

Mistcatcher
Community Member
5 years ago

Beautiful!

View more comments

Bored Panda asked Jennifer George about her project:

“I live in a semi-rural area in San Diego County on a large property, and used to see animals outside in our yard, so I thought it would be fun to get an outdoor camera to get a better look. I put a bowl of water out there to attract them, because I didn't want to make them dependent on us for food, and because it's very hot and dry here in the summer. Birds started showing up almost immediately to drink and take baths during the day, and at night we'd see other nocturnal animals like skunks, opossums, and bobcats drinking. I was excited to look at the camera every morning to see what showed up," she said.

RELATED:
    #2

    Backyard-Water-Fountain-Hidden-Camera-Animal-Photos-Jennifer-George

    jenniferegeorge Report

    Casey Burns
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Coyote.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #3

    Backyard-Water-Fountain-Hidden-Camera-Animal-Photos-Jennifer-George

    jenniferegeorge Report

    Eva the Egg
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    SNEKKKK

    View more comments

    The fauna of the State of California may be the most diverse in the United States of America. George has caught on camera skunks, bobcats, raccoons, opossums, rabbits, squirrels, mice, lizards, hawks, hummingbirds, and several other kinds of birds, and even a dog (not her pet). Check out our list of snaps of videos to see who else came to visit! And if you want to watch all the hypnotizing videos to see how these animals behave, visit George's socials with footage from her Ring camera.

    #4

    Backyard-Water-Fountain-Hidden-Camera-Animal-Photos-Jennifer-George

    jenniferegeorge Report

    Norma
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    here kitty kitty...

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #5

    Backyard-Water-Fountain-Hidden-Camera-Animal-Photos-Jennifer-George

    jenniferegeorge Report

    PandaPanda
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    he brought some friends

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT

    George said that thanks to her little fountain and a camera, she has been able to encounter animals she'd never seen before.

    "I've lived in Southern California all my life, and some of these animals I've never seen before, like the long-tailed weasel and the western tanager. I love seeing the coyote puppies and the road runners. I'm hoping an owl will stop by one day."

    #6

    Backyard-Water-Fountain-Hidden-Camera-Animal-Photos-Jennifer-George

    jenniferegeorge Report

    Gemma
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    I don't recognise these birds. I like the head feathers on this one. Makes me think of a peacock.

    View more comments
    #7

    Backyard-Water-Fountain-Hidden-Camera-Animal-Photos-Jennifer-George

    jenniferegeorge Report

    Casey Burns
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Cutey.

    View more comments

    George's hobby turned out to be more than just an entertaining project to explore local fauna. Besides providing fresh water to wild animals, she has also partnered with Wildlife Care of Southern California to raise awareness and help coyotes who might be suffering from mange due to secondary poisoning from eating rats who were poisoned in traps.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #8

    Backyard-Water-Fountain-Hidden-Camera-Animal-Photos-Jennifer-George

    jenniferegeorge Report

    Eva the Egg
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Floof

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #9

    Backyard-Water-Fountain-Hidden-Camera-Animal-Photos-Jennifer-George

    jenniferegeorge Report

    Uber Mensch
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Pepe le Pew.

    View more comments
    #10

    Backyard-Water-Fountain-Hidden-Camera-Animal-Photos-Jennifer-George

    jenniferegeorge Report

    PandaPanda
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    I'm gonna name this guy Archie. He just gives me that vibe

    View more comments

    Jennifer George shares a similar hobby with Lisa, known as Ostdrossel, who was previously featured on Bored Panda four times. Ostdrossel uses a homemade feeder camera setup which consists of an action camera in a weatherproof box with a macro lens for photographs and a Birdsy camera for videos. So if you are interested in what birds and other unexpected guests visit Lisa's garden in Michigan for food, drink, and baths, make sure to check out the posts here, here, here, and here.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #11

    Backyard-Water-Fountain-Hidden-Camera-Animal-Photos-Jennifer-George

    jenniferegeorge Report

    PandaPanda
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    big burd

    View more comments
    #12

    Backyard-Water-Fountain-Hidden-Camera-Animal-Photos-Jennifer-George

    jenniferegeorge Report

    Crepitus
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Western Tanager, I think.

    View more comments
    #13

    Backyard-Water-Fountain-Hidden-Camera-Animal-Photos-Jennifer-George

    jenniferegeorge Report

    Alyssa Sweat
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    AWWWWWW!!!!!!! I LOVE rabbits. I have one.

    View more comments
    #14

    Backyard-Water-Fountain-Hidden-Camera-Animal-Photos-Jennifer-George

    jenniferegeorge Report

    over it already
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    I love 💕 hawks

    View more comments
    #15

    Backyard-Water-Fountain-Hidden-Camera-Animal-Photos-Jennifer-George

    jenniferegeorge Report

    Crepitus
    Community Member
    5 years ago (edited)

    This appears to be some species of Oriole, not sure which though. I will look into the species. (Update) I've done some research and I believe this to be either a Bullock's Oriole or a Hooded Oriole, I personally believe it to be the latter option.

    View more comments

    Never miss a story that brings joy to the world. Add us on Google

    #16

    Backyard-Water-Fountain-Hidden-Camera-Animal-Photos-Jennifer-George

    jenniferegeorge Report

    Eva the Egg
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Took me a bit

    View more comments
    #17

    Backyard-Water-Fountain-Hidden-Camera-Animal-Photos-Jennifer-George

    jenniferegeorge Report

    Casey Burns
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Squirrel: What camera?!!

    View more comments
    #18

    Backyard-Water-Fountain-Hidden-Camera-Animal-Photos-Jennifer-George

    jenniferegeorge Report

    PandaPanda
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Archie is back

    View more comments
    #19

    Backyard-Water-Fountain-Hidden-Camera-Animal-Photos-Jennifer-George

    jenniferegeorge Report

    Fury2020
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    MOURNING DOVE OMG I LOVE THOSE

    View more comments
    #20

    Backyard-Water-Fountain-Hidden-Camera-Animal-Photos-Jennifer-George

    jenniferegeorge Report

    ! ?
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Skoonk

    View more comments
    #21

    Backyard-Water-Fountain-Hidden-Camera-Animal-Photos-Jennifer-George

    jenniferegeorge Report

    ComfyPanda
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    TRASH PANDA!!!!!!

    View more comments
    #22

    Backyard-Water-Fountain-Hidden-Camera-Animal-Photos-Jennifer-George

    jenniferegeorge Report

    UncleRussian
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    He looks like he owns this fountain

    View more comments
    #23

    Backyard-Water-Fountain-Hidden-Camera-Animal-Photos-Jennifer-George

    jenniferegeorge Report

    Cami
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    he knows

    View more comments
    #24

    Backyard-Water-Fountain-Hidden-Camera-Animal-Photos-Jennifer-George

    jenniferegeorge Report

    Leslie Sokolow
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This looks like the name of an English pub, Packrat & Frog

    View more comments
    #25

    Backyard-Water-Fountain-Hidden-Camera-Animal-Photos-Jennifer-George

    jenniferegeorge Report

    Beth Bohn
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    the coloring is awesome

    View more comments
    #26

    Backyard-Water-Fountain-Hidden-Camera-Animal-Photos-Jennifer-George

    jenniferegeorge Report

    Moo Moo Futch
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Wow!!!!

    View more comments
    #27

    Backyard-Water-Fountain-Hidden-Camera-Animal-Photos-Jennifer-George

    jenniferegeorge Report

    Richard Portman
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Looks like a Spotted Towee. What an awesome hobby Ms George has!

    View more comments
    #28

    Backyard-Water-Fountain-Hidden-Camera-Animal-Photos-Jennifer-George

    jenniferegeorge Report

    ispeak catanese
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Crows are wonderful!

    View more comments
    #29

    Backyard-Water-Fountain-Hidden-Camera-Animal-Photos-Jennifer-George

    jenniferegeorge Report

    Norma
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    There are craploads of coyotes here! Any roadrunners??

    View more comments
    #30

    Backyard-Water-Fountain-Hidden-Camera-Animal-Photos-Jennifer-George

    jenniferegeorge Report

    PandaPanda
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    his face ahaahhah

    View more comments
    #31

    Backyard-Water-Fountain-Hidden-Camera-Animal-Photos-Jennifer-George

    jenniferegeorge Report

    TheBoredPanda
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    <3

    #32

    Backyard-Water-Fountain-Hidden-Camera-Animal-Photos-Jennifer-George

    jenniferegeorge Report

    Norma
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Playin' possum...

    #33

    Backyard-Water-Fountain-Hidden-Camera-Animal-Photos-Jennifer-George

    jenniferegeorge Report

    Eva the Egg
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This one is my favorite, they are all so small and cute ≥ᗜ≤

    #34

    Backyard-Water-Fountain-Hidden-Camera-Animal-Photos-Jennifer-George

    jenniferegeorge Report

    Casey Burns
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Rude...

    View more comments
    #35

    Backyard-Water-Fountain-Hidden-Camera-Animal-Photos-Jennifer-George

    jenniferegeorge Report

    Amery
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Bandit bird ~!

    #36

    Backyard-Water-Fountain-Hidden-Camera-Animal-Photos-Jennifer-George

    jenniferegeorge Report

    TheBoredPanda
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Awww, cute!!

    #37

    Backyard-Water-Fountain-Hidden-Camera-Animal-Photos-Jennifer-George

    jenniferegeorge Report

    Marykay Klim
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    ID?

    View more comments
    #38

    Backyard-Water-Fountain-Hidden-Camera-Animal-Photos-Jennifer-George

    jenniferegeorge Report

    Richard Portman
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Here's the Oriole! Hooded Oriole i think

    #39

    Backyard-Water-Fountain-Hidden-Camera-Animal-Photos-Jennifer-George

    jenniferegeorge Report

    Fury2020
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Sam is here again

    View more comments
    #40

    Backyard-Water-Fountain-Hidden-Camera-Animal-Photos-Jennifer-George

    jenniferegeorge Report

    Amery
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Some type of wren?

    #41

    Backyard-Water-Fountain-Hidden-Camera-Animal-Photos-Jennifer-George

    jenniferegeorge Report

    ispeak catanese
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    These hawks think they own the hot tub!

    #42

    Backyard-Water-Fountain-Hidden-Camera-Animal-Photos-Jennifer-George

    jenniferegeorge Report

    Norma
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    pretty hummer!