Syracuse.com - Figura Challenge: Readers talk about visiting great blue heron rookery and Chittenango Falls (Week 3)

[HuntingNY-News]

Readers continue to take me up on The Figura Challenge. to visit 15 prime outdoors destinations this summer in Central New York. Following last Sunday's story on the great blue heron rookery up at the Sterling Nature Center, it's no surprise a couple of readers stopped in there. Paul Pflanz, of Syracuse wrote: "Nice piece in today's paper on...

A great blue heron feeds its young at the great blue heron rookery at the Sterling Nature Center.Paul Pflanz 

Readers continue to take me up on The Figura Challenge. to visit 15 prime outdoors destinations this summer in Central New York.

Following last Sunday's story on the great blue heron rookery up at the Sterling Nature Center, it's no surprise a couple of readers stopped in there.

Paul Pflanz, of Syracuse wrote:

"Nice piece in today's paper on the 15 spots in the Figura challenge. My wife and I have visited all but one (#9) many times and agree, they are special. Today, we took a trip to Sterling Nature Center to see how the great blue herons were getting along. Herons generally lay 3-4 eggs and these seem to be doing well with three visable youngsters in almost each nest.

"We arrived in late afternoon about 4 p.m. and it was obviously feeding time. Although, with these young herons, it is probably always feeding time! The center was getting quite a bit of traffic with about a dozen people making the trek out to the heron viewing platform.

Your column must be having an effect. There were also lots of birds, a beaver and a bald eagle in attendance. A fine time was had by all.

Ben Volmer, of Minoa, wrote:

"We set off for Sterling with little in the way of expectations. We planned to checkout the rookery and walk around the lake shore, so I brought my long lens. After about a ten minute walk from the car we came to the beaver pond and Great Blue Heron Rookery.

"There were about ten people already at the viewing platform when we arrived, but everyone was quiet and respectful of the birds and the experience. We probably only stayed about 20 minutes, during which time I probably took about 50 pictures.

I believe we made a quick estimate of about 30 nests, many of which are close enough for good viewing, but all of which would benefit from a set of binoculars.

"We were able to see the adults hunt and feed their chicks before moving on. Once we continued on, we made to much noise to see much other wildlife, though we did hear a woodpecker on the trail to the vernal pool, and we enjoyed the view of the lake from the bluffs on the return to the car."

(Thanks to David Figura of syracuse.com for the idea.)

Check out his photos

Chittenango Falls.Chris Murray 

Glenn Vatter, of Pompey wrote:

"As a life-long resident of CNY, I have been to all of the 15 sites, except for Bear Swamp. I will visit there this summer.

I went to Chittenango Falls last week when the water was really roaring over the falls. What a sight!

We go to Pratts Falls all the time since we live right around the corner. We are indeed fortunate to have these beautiful places here in New York. At most of these places you can get a grill and a table most anytime for a picnic.

Try that around any big city!

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog