Syracuse.com - Figura Challenge takers visit Pratt's Falls, Sterling Nature Center

[HuntingNY-News]

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"We took you up on one of your challenges and visited Pratt's Falls for the first time with our dog Lucy. The best part for us was definitely the short hike to the falls. We had a great time," said Mike Ranieri, of Camillus.

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<div id="asset-13101223" class="entry_widget_large entry_widget_right"><span class="adv-photo-large"><img src="/static/common/img/blank.gif" class="lazy" data-original="http://media.syracuse.com/outdoors/photo/13101223-large.jpg" class="adv-photo" alt="prattflass.jpg.jpg" /><span class="photo-data"><span class="caption">zThe Ranieris and their dog, Lucy, enjoyed Pratt's Falls. </span><span class="byline"></span></span></span> </div>

<p>The weather has taken a turn for the better lately and there's no better time to get outside and visit the 15 outdoors destinations I've outlined in The Figura Challenge at the beginning of the summer.</p>

<p>As an added incentive, the first person to visit all 15, and can send me at least 7 pictures or some other proof from half of the locations, will win a free copy of the recently published book, "New York Wildlife Viewing Guide," which was recently released by the state Department of Environmental Conservation..</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Mike Ranieri, of Camillus, wrote me: </p>

<p>"We took you up on one of your challenges and visited Pratt's Falls for the first time with our dog Lucy. The best part for us was definitely the short hike to the falls. We had a great time. </p>

<p>"We had a great time and hope to cross a few more off the list this summer. Thanks!"</p>

<p>Paul Pflanz, of Syracuse, made it up to the Sterling Nature Center. He wrote:</p>

<div id="asset-13104120" class="entry_widget_large entry_widget_right"><span class="adv-photo-large"><img src="/static/common/img/blank.gif" class="lazy" data-original="http://media.syracuse.com/outdoors/photo/13104120-large.jpg" class="adv-photo" alt="Pearl Crescent Butterfly.JPG" /><span class="photo-data"><span class="caption">A pearl crescent butterfly at the Sterling Nature Center.</span><span class="byline"></span></span></span> </div>

<p>"My wife and I decided to check out the last of the herons at the Sterling Nature Center rookery. The Interpretive Center was open and we learned that the water level in the rookery was very low. A heavy rainstorm (over 8 inches in one storm) hit about 5 weeks ago (same time as the rest of CNY was getting innundated) and the resulting flooding destroyed much of the beaver dam that created the rookery pond. <br /> <br />"There were about a dozen herons still in nests with at least that many empty nests that had been vacated by the heron parents and their fledged young. Those remaining will depart by the end of the month. There may have been young among them but, by now, they are similar in size and appearance to the adults.<br /> <br />"But, as usual, there was much to see at sterling including a lone resident bald eagle perched in a tree across the rookery from the viewing platform."</p>

<p><a href="http://blog.syracuse.com/outdoors/2013/05/take_the_figura_challenge_and.html">Check out my list.</a> Do yourself and your family a favor. Mother Nature has been generous to this area and she does not disappoint.</p>

<p>Send your comments and photos to [email protected] so I can include them in my weekly updates. Looking forward to hearing from you.</p>

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog