Sterling Nature Center - Sterling, NY

    My first visit to Sterling Nature Center was this past March on a relatively warm day for that time of year (I think it was in the lower 50s).  If you remember, winter's cold lasted well into April this year so I was lucky to find a bright sunny day to check out this great preserve along the shores of Lake Ontario.
    I was honestly impressed by the beauty of the area and the number of trails to explore.  Having grown up on Long Island. I'm accustomed to beaches, coasts, and areas of aquatic plants.  I found all of these at Sterling Nature Center which gave the place an almost coastal feel that is definitely absent in most of upstate New York.  I spent about an hour or so at the preserve, and made a promise to myself to return in the warmer months, having enjoyed the spot so much. 
    So I returned in July 2018, and of course it looked quite different with the trees fully leafed out and all the wildflowers boasting their pedals and colors along the edges of the winding paths.  What struck me most, though, was a large beaver wetland about a ten-minute walk down the Heron Trail, and it was surely an opportunity to take a few photos.  There is an observation deck where I saw several ospreys.  Bald eagles have been spotted here as well, but I, unfortunately, didn't see those.  Perhaps on another visit.  Sterling Nature Center is along an important bird migratory route which is one reason why the place is protected from development.

    The second highlight is the Bluff Trail, aptly maned because it follows along the bluffs of great Lake Ontario.  And what a sight!  Again, this reminded me of Long Island and a particular place down there named Wildwood State Park where a path follows the edges of sandy bluffs overlooking the Sound.  Only here the bluff is not sandy but contains more clay and stones and the lake waters below fresh and not salty.  It was still an enjoyable path to wander along for about 4 tenths of a mile before reaching the Dogwood Extension Trail and then the interesting Vernal Pool Trail.

    On the Vernal Pool Trail, things became muddier and somewhat marshy in spots, but it was still worth the walk.  This path looped in a figure-8 shape and offered another view of the beaver wetland, this time from the eastern side.  The trail was a bit tricky to walk in a few spots (due to mud and thick plant growth) but the open views of the sprawling wetlands are certainly rewarding.
    Afterward, I returned back to the preserve entrance along the wide, easy-to-walk, Dogwood Extension Trail which travels under a canopy of sugar maples and hemlocks.  Near the entrance there is also Dragonfly Pond which is beautiful and has - you guessed it - dragonflies!  The pond is another spot for bird watching.  Binoculars would be useful here.

    A map kiosk by the parking area shows there are more trails to explore in this place with enticing names such as Meadow Loop and Forest Ecology Trail.  On another visit, I would like to try those.  All in all, my July 2018 visit here took about two hours which is doable for a morning or late afternoon hike.  And there are really no streunous hills to climb as this is mainly level country bordering Lake Ontario. 
    A side note: Sterling Nature Center is a couple of short miles down the road from the grounds of the Sterling Renaissance Festival, so visiting both in a single day or weekend is possible for the more ambitious.