Photographer captures wildlife at Halloween displays in Santa Ana Mountains

Photographer and community scientist Mark Girardeau captured a mountain lion, gray fox, bobcat and deer visiting Halloween-themed displays in the Santa Ana Mountains, according to ABC7 Los Angeles. The trail-camera project took two months to produce footage of five animals, he said.

The project pairs Girardeau's interest in Halloween with his effort to show people wildlife they may not otherwise encounter, particularly predators. The Santa Ana Mountains are part of Orange County's regional natural environment, though the report does not establish whether the cameras were inside the county.

Girardeau spent weeks arranging seasonal displays and setting up trail cameras in the wilderness, ABC7 Los Angeles reported. Fresh pumpkins were among the items placed for the Halloween scenes.

The footage included a gray fox that appeared to stop for a close look at the camera. Other visitors included a mountain lion, bobcat and deer, according to the report.

Girardeau said getting usable footage depended on several conditions lining up: Animals had to pass the cameras, move in the right direction and arrive while the equipment was functioning. He described recording five animals over two months as a matter of luck.

His wildlife photography also extends offshore. ABC7 reported that Girardeau documents marine life along the Southern California coast and recently filmed eastern tropical Pacific orcas hunting dolphins.

The orca footage included a mother with a newborn calf staying close beside her. Girardeau said his broader aim is to share images of animals people rarely see, including predators they often fear.