When a talented photographer comes across something quite ordinary and turns it into heartwarming art, we all benefit when we get to enjoy it.

U.K. photographer Simon Dell recently stumbled upon a mice family in his garden. This is something many of us have experienced but instead of jumping on the nearest chair or getting out some traps or poison, Simon got busy doing something else. He built an exquisitely detailed miniature mouse village for them. And then he started taking photos.

The Photography of Simon Dell/Facebook

He shared his story with Bored Panda.

“I was out one day just taking photos of the birds in the garden and having just cut the grass I noticed something moving on the ground. I pointed my camera at the ground and was shocked but very happy to see a very cute little house mouse standing up just like a meerkat in the fresh cut grass.”

The Photography of Simon Dell/Facebook
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Simon says he knew instantly that this adorable little mouse was destined to be a superstar.

“I knew instantly he was a star and ran back inside to get a couple of peanuts to put down for him. Sitting there, waiting, it was only minutes before he came back out for the treats.”

The Photography of Simon Dell/Facebook

The little fellow wasn’t shy. He came out pretty quickly to get his treats. It melted Simon’s heart.

“It was at that point I thought I would give him a little shelter and safe place to hide and feed.”

The Photography of Simon Dell/Facebook

Simon has some experience photographing wildlife, so this wasn’t a new gig for him, except for building the actual village.

The Photography of Simon Dell/Facebook

Simon has some experience photographing wildlife, so this wasn’t a new gig for him, except for building the actual village.

“We get all kinds of wildlife in the garden. Many types of birds, such as starlings, house sparrows, blackbirds, robins, and more. Even a grey heron who has taken most of the goldfish from my ponds,” he said. We also have a fox that visits every night and a lot of hedgehogs and squirrels. ”

The Photography of Simon Dell/Facebook

Simon shared that at first, it was just the one little mouse, but as these things go, everyone wanted to move to the cool new place.

“At first there was just the one mouse. He had a cut in his ear and we called him George. I piled some small logs around a box as a home for the mouse and covered it with moss and straw to give him a little shelter.”

The Photography of Simon Dell/Facebook

There were cats nearby, so Simon knew that his little mouse friend and his buddies (family?) would feel safer with some shelter.

“I then put up some wire fencing along the fence so there was no way the cats could get to the mouse. I also have a small Jack Russell Terrier dog so the cats know not to come in the garden and the dog pays the mice no attention.”

Before long, everyone was coming out to visit and socialize.

The Photography of Simon Dell/Facebook

“I decided to build them a home as I wanted to give them a safe place in the garden and not fall prey to cats or other animals. Also, as I was feeding the mice it was the right thing to do as I would feel it was my fault getting them to come out if they became prey. Being a wildlife photographer, I wanted to create a nice looking habitat for any pictures I would take.”

The Photography of Simon Dell/Facebook

Simon had to quickly expand the village. He said that the first stage of the log pile was easy and only took an hour to make. But as more mice moved in, knowing a good thing when they saw it, Simon had to make changes and add more room. The inside of the box structure has two or three ways in so that they can escape as needed. Just like in a people house, it’s safer to have multiple ways to escape.

The Photography of Simon Dell/Facebook

As it is now, Simon’s friends are settled in for the winter.

“I added more space and made it ready for a cold winter, giving the mice the best chance possible to survive. I have counted around 5 or more mice and the female, Mildred, is looking very pregnant so hoping we will have a large litter of baby mice around Christmas.”

No worries, Simon. We’re pretty sure you will get all the babies you want. And bless you for making these sweet creatures safe.

You can support Simon’s work and help him by mouse goodies by buying calendars or merchandise.