Homeowner places wildlife cam by outdoor Christmas tree and gets magical results
When Donna Eberle looked out into her backyard, she saw a Christmas miracle.
She caught a glimpse of her local wildlife celebrating the holiday and enjoying some holiday lights.
The video and photos she shared on Twitter look like a painted or Photoshopped greeting card.
However, they are images from her yard in Ashburn, VA. Eberle says watching the critters in her backyard has always brought her joy.
“I have always been a huge animal lover,” Eberle told Uplift Loudoun. “When my husband and I moved to Ashburn four years ago, I was so excited to find the abundance of wildlife in our area.”
She decided to set up a camera in her backyard so she could witness them in their natural habitat acting naturally.
“Throughout the year regular visitors include several foxes, opossums, raccoons, skunks, and deer, all stopping by almost nightly,” she said.
Get those letters in! pic.twitter.com/GzbUVyTQdg
— Donna Eberle (@mynaturecam) December 6, 2022
But one year she decided that the wildlife might appreciate some Christmas cheer.
So, she left out the most adorable tiny Christmas tree and decorated it with Christmas lights and a star.
She also put some red Christmas presents out for them. Eberle’s assumptions were correct. The animals were extremely curious about the display.
— Donna Eberle (@mynaturecam) January 3, 2022
She’s seen raccoons sitting beside the Christmas tree, opossums posing alongside it, and foxes looking on in awe.
Eberle thought the images were so adorable that she had to share them with others.
She hoped that they would serve both an entertainment and educational purpose.
So here’s how it happened….
Decided to modify my usual nature cam setup in honor of the holiday season complete with an oscillating sprinkler wrapped in garland and lights and some gift boxes. Here is what I captured the first 3 nights… pic.twitter.com/SMeC7F0fs0
— Donna Eberle (@mynaturecam) December 27, 2021
Eberle said she hoped her photos would be “an educational tool to help overcome the negative perceptions some people have regarding wildlife.”
She said these perceptions derive “comes from a lack of exposure and understanding; as is the case with most things.”
“I started sharing some of their antics on my personal Facebook page and after seeing the positive reactions from many of my friends I decided to start sharing my footage on the Nextdoor app and created an ‘Animals of Ashburn’ page on Facebook,” Eberle said.
Eberle’s Christmas video went viral and was viewed thousands of times.
“Your creative photos have brought many smiles to my face! You’re a jewel,” wrote one commenter.
“I have absolutely enjoyed the pictures of the animals around the tree. I’m a part-time wildlife photographer and what you accomplished is incredible. Thanks for sharing and Happy New Year,” said another.
Because of the big reaction, she got over it, she decided to continue with her holiday themes.
She decorated the yard for Valentine’s Day, Fourth of July, Halloween, New Year’s, and St. Patrick’s Day.
The animals have become so familiar that she started to name them.
She even invited a raccoon named Lucy to come inside her home. The raccoon was a little shy at first but looked like she wanted to walk right in.
Check out the happy wildlife Christmas party in the video below.
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
Happy Holidays! pic.twitter.com/Ijw14sN2AC
— Donna Eberle (@mynaturecam) December 26, 2021
Source: Donna Eberle, Uplift Loudoun