Fresh water is available at two fountains and a birdbath. Some visitors are hungrier than others. George and Debra had originally stocked their pond with fish, but when one lucky white heron spied the pond and dropped in for takeout, he took out all the fish. Before the area around them got built up, George and Debra used to have the pleasure of seeing foxes and coyotes. Across the street from their home is a small finger of natural habitat linking their property to Sycamore Canyon Park, so they often have rabbits and other visitors who come to browse and then meander back.
Opossums also come in and wander off when fruit is available.
The property happens to be located within a migratory flyway, so George and Debra see their fair share of migratory birds. Other avian visitors include kestrals, orioles, robins, finches, owls, and red-tailed and merlin hawks. The property also hosts several species of lizards, including alligator lizards, that help to keep the snail and spider populations down. With all this variety of plant and animal life, you might wonder how much work is needed to maintain this half-acre lot. George and Debra employ someone to maintain the trees, but they perform all the other work so that the property retains its informal look and feel.