After Tropical Storm Hilary, hundreds of birds flock to the Santa Ana River
A great blue heron spreads its wings as it lands on a small island in the Santa Ana River, flowing with muddy water runoff from Tropical Storm Hilary, in Anaheim on Tuesday, August 22, 2023. The riverbed which would normally be dry this time of year has attracted various kinds of birds to the area following the storm. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
One need not be an avid bird enthusiast to marvel at the impressive congregation of waterfowl along the Santa Ana River, which got a topping off from Tropical Storm Hilary.
The skies and banks adjacent to the river are bustling with activity from cormorants, egrets, ducks, herons and terns.
An egret takes flight near a set of rapids in the Santa Ana River, which is filled with muddy water runoff from Tropical Storm Hilary, in Anaheim on Tuesday, August 22, 2023. The riverbed which would normally be dry this time of year has attracted various kinds of birds to the area following the storm. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Egrets and herons stand in the Santa Ana River near the 91 freeway in Anaheim on Tuesday, August 22, 2023. The riverbed which would normally be dry this time of year, is filled with muddy water runoff from Tropical Storm Hilary, and has attracted various kinds of birds to the area following the storm. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Black-necked stilts stand on a small piece of dry land in the Santa Ana River near the 91 freeway in Anaheim on Tuesday, August 22, 2023. The riverbed which would normally be dry this time of year, is filled with muddy water runoff from Tropical Storm Hilary, and has attracted various kinds of birds to the area following the storm. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A double-crested cormorant sits on a utility wire high above the Santa Ana River flowing with muddy water runoff from Tropical Storm Hilary, in Anaheim on Tuesday, August 22, 2023. The riverbed which would normally be dry this time of year has attracted various kinds of birds to the area following the storm. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
An egret touches down in the water above a small waterfall on the Santa Ana River which is filled with muddy water runoff from Tropical Storm Hilary, in Anaheim on Tuesday, August 22, 2023. The riverbed which would normally be dry this time of year has attracted various kinds of birds to the area following the storm. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A great blue heron spreads its wings as it lands on a small island in the Santa Ana River, flowing with muddy water runoff from Tropical Storm Hilary, in Anaheim on Tuesday, August 22, 2023. The riverbed which would normally be dry this time of year has attracted various kinds of birds to the area following the storm. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
An egret flies over a small waterfall on the Santa Ana River which is filled with muddy water runoff from Tropical Storm Hilary, in Anaheim on Tuesday, August 22, 2023. The riverbed which would normally be dry this time of year has attracted various kinds of birds to the area following the storm. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Egrets stand in the middle of the Santa Ana River, filled with muddy water runoff from Tropical Storm Hilary, as a great blue heron flies by in Anaheim on Tuesday, August 22, 2023. The riverbed which would normally be dry this time of year has attracted various kinds of birds to the area following the storm. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A black-crowned night-heron stands on a pile of debris in the Santa Ana River, which is filled with muddy water runoff from Tropical Storm Hilary, in Anaheim on Tuesday, August 22, 2023. The riverbed which would normally be dry this time of year has attracted various kinds of birds to the area following the storm. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
An egret takes flight after standing in the Santa Ana River, which is filled with muddy water runoff from Tropical Storm Hilary, in Anaheim on Tuesday, August 22, 2023. The riverbed which would normally be dry this time of year has attracted various kinds of birds to the area following the storm. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
An egret flies past a great blue heron sitting on concrete pilings in the warm morning sun as the Santa Ana River flows by with muddy water runoff from Tropical Storm Hilary, in Anaheim on Tuesday, August 22, 2023. The riverbed which would normally be dry this time of year has attracted various kinds of birds to the area following the storm. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Egrets stand in the middle of the Santa Ana River which is filled with muddy water runoff from Tropical Storm Hilary, in Anaheim on Tuesday, August 22, 2023. The riverbed which would normally be dry this time of year has attracted various kinds of birds to the area following the storm. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Terns stand in the Santa Ana River near the 91 freeway in Anaheim on Tuesday, August 22, 2023. The riverbed which would normally be dry this time of year, is filled with muddy water runoff from Tropical Storm Hilary, and has attracted various kinds of birds to the area following the storm. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Egrets stand in the Santa Ana River near the 91 freeway in Anaheim on Tuesday, August 22, 2023. The riverbed which would normally be dry this time of year, is filled with muddy water runoff from Tropical Storm Hilary, and has attracted various kinds of birds to the area following the storm. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A duck paddles along the riverbank of the Santa Ana River as it flows with muddy water runoff from Tropical Storm Hilary, in Anaheim on Tuesday, August 22, 2023. The riverbed which would normally be dry this time of year has attracted various kinds of birds to the area following the storm. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Tuesday morning, egrets leapt into the air in aerial kickboxing routines. The largest bird on the river, the great blue heron, carefully stalked fish in the shallow water as it vigilantly tracked any observer with its gaze, taking flight if you wandered too close.
A stroll south along the Santa Ana River Trail from Yorba Regional Park or from Riverdale Park, both in Anaheim, are perfect vantage points to watch the various birds enjoying the riverbed, which is often dry this time of year but is teaming with life both above and below the water.
