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Santa Ana river

Posted: June 18th, 2016, 1:23 pm
by Herper6301
Hi everyone,

First of my name is Elijah and I'm new to the forum and kind of new to field herping. Now, has anyone here every herped near the Santa Ana river before? Specifically in riverside county. I'm considering going here and want to know if it is a good spot to try. Thanks!

Re: Santa Ana river

Posted: June 18th, 2016, 10:31 pm
by Fieldnotes
I explore the Santa River quite often, simply because its close to my house. I don't particularly like the river basin because its not very "natural," its filled with people sleeping in debris huts, introduced herps, and the water itself, is more like sewage by the time it reaches Riverside and Orange Counties. That being said, there are some creatures to be found--African Clawed Frogs, Bullfrogs, some native lizards and snakes (including the Common Garter), and various introduced turtles. I have searched extensively for the introduced Southern Leopard Frogs, but now suspect they are no more. So please, let me know if you happen upon any during your treks. The turtles are pretty cool, because a person never really knows what released species there looking at until sneaking up on it. To spot Softshells, ride a bike along the River Trail while peering at the edge of the river, especially where there is calm water and sandy.

Re: Santa Ana river

Posted: July 1st, 2016, 9:40 pm
by Brian Hubbs
I love when someone new posts once and asks a question, then when they get an answer they don't even post to say "thanks".

Re: Santa Ana river

Posted: July 2nd, 2016, 1:01 am
by Porter
Brian Hubbs wrote:I love when someone new posts once and asks a question, then when they get an answer they don't even post to say "thanks".
hmmm, either I'm experiencing Déjà Vu or I've read that somewhere before... :lol:

Re: Santa Ana river

Posted: July 2nd, 2016, 1:33 am
by Porter
When it comes from Santa, I think most people feel like no, "thank you's" are needed lol

Re: Santa Ana river

Posted: July 2nd, 2016, 10:01 am
by hellihooks

Re: Santa Ana river

Posted: July 10th, 2016, 5:01 pm
by Herper6301
I apologize for not thanking field notes for the helpful information. So here's my proper thank you to you. Thank you field notes for providing helpful information on herps and such in the river area. I have yet to go there but will inform you on my finds when I do. I hope this makes everyone feel better.

Re: Santa Ana river

Posted: July 11th, 2016, 12:03 am
by Brian Hubbs
We all feel wonderful now...see my reply to your kind PM... :thumb:

Re: Santa Ana river

Posted: July 11th, 2016, 9:18 pm
by Porter
No worries, didn't hurt my feelings lol I just thought it was funny because I've seen Brian write that probably more than once and word for word verbatim. In fact he may have even dedicated a whole post to it :lol:

Nobody asks me where to find things anyway, cause I don't know where to find anything to begin with :lol: 8-)

Re: Santa Ana river

Posted: July 12th, 2016, 4:50 pm
by Porter
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Re: Santa Ana river

Posted: July 14th, 2016, 3:25 pm
by Brian Hubbs
How's the birds coming?

Re: Santa Ana river

Posted: August 10th, 2016, 6:33 pm
by Ronzio Verme
This is from few years ago, did not seem to work when I attempted to embed vimeo, so here's the link. I think this is a common water garter. https://vimeo.com/56065332 RV

Re: Santa Ana river

Posted: August 10th, 2016, 10:11 pm
by Fieldnotes
A two-striped Garter and it looks to be from the rocky, higher portion of the Santa Ana River. Is that assumption correct?

Re: Santa Ana river

Posted: August 11th, 2016, 12:50 pm
by mattg
definitey a two stripe they are pretty dense upriver from san berdoo

Re: Santa Ana river

Posted: August 13th, 2016, 12:30 pm
by Brian Hubbs
common water garter? I love these made-up names...LOL Just kiddin' the new guy a little...I found a Saddled Milk Sucker in AZ last weekend... :lol:

Re: Santa Ana river

Posted: August 13th, 2016, 10:02 pm
by steeve11
I lived one block away from the Santa Ana river, in Costa Mesa, for 32 years...been up past Prado Dam and down clear to the ocean hundreds of times.....never saw any kind of snake, just one Turtle and some lizards. Just lots of waterfowl, including a Swan once. Guessing you need to look farther up stream.

Re: Santa Ana river

Posted: August 14th, 2016, 3:21 pm
by mattg
steeve11 wrote:I lived one block away from the Santa Ana river, in Costa Mesa, for 32 years...been up past Prado Dam and down clear to the ocean hundreds of times.....never saw any kind of snake, just one Turtle and some lizards. Just lots of waterfowl, including a Swan once. Guessing you need to look farther up stream.
Yes as far as snakes go definitely above prado dam is where you want to be , all the way up the berdoo mountains. the fact that you only saw turtles (probably an invasive species: red eard slider, common snapper, or softshell.) shows what happens when you cement an entire river channel. very sad :(

Re: Santa Ana river

Posted: August 18th, 2016, 10:11 pm
by Ronzio Verme
Fieldnotes wrote:A two-striped Garter and it looks to be from the rocky, higher portion of the Santa Ana River. Is that assumption correct?
Yes, downstream of Seven Oaks Resort, right at the old WPA project remains. They usually don't stay put for long. I was fishing and had my video camera in my pocket, so I was able to get it out quickly. RV