Credit: SWNS/Robert Fuller

Who says backyards are only for kids?

I grew up in a pretty rural area, so there were always lots of assorted wildlife meandering around. Birds, deer, the occasional rabbit; of course, since I ran to the window to see them every time, I never got to see them doing anything especially interesting. I guess I should’ve tried to be more like Robert Fuller.

Robert Fuller is an English wildlife photographer from Thixendale, North Yorkshire who, about six years ago, purchased a second-hand outdoor play set for his daughters. He had no assumption that this purchase would cross over with his profession at all, he just wanted to do something nice for his kids. However, since he obtained that play set, his daughters haven’t been the only ones using it. The play set is visited day and night by a wide variety of curious wildlife, and Fuller just knew he had to get it on film.

“I decided to fit cameras and lighting to the climbing frame to capture more animals using it,” said Fuller. “It wasn’t until I started to review the footage that I realized just how many animals and birds were enjoying the play frame.”

Credit: SWNS/Robert Fuller

During the day, the play set is visited by hedgehogs, deer, and even an entire family of stoats, who are especially fond of the small trampoline next to the play set, as well as any toys that have been left out on it. At night, the play set’s clientele includes curious owls and climb-happy badgers, as well as the stoat family again if they happen to be awake.

“It has been in place for six years now, and in that time it has given me, my girls and a host of wild species so much pleasure—especially recently when we’ve been in lock-down.” Fuller said. “I see it providing fun for many more years to come too. I’ve yet to see any animal find a use for its bright yellow bumpy slide, but you never know!”