When we first moved to Bainbridge, the nearby duck pond at Battle Point Park was a major attraction. Since then I have taken many pictures there and have frequently enjoyed walking around it.
Sadly, several months ago it sprang a leak and drained most of its water into the Fairy Dell and out into the sound. It’s an artificial pond, so it takes special care to keep it in good shape. Parks is working on a plan to repair it and is aiming at having the job done by the end of summer.
Meanwhile here are some of my favorite shots to give you something to contemplate while waiting for its restoration.
Parks Warning Sign
This is the latest effort by the Parks District to discourage people from feeding the waterfowl. At the moment there are very few left in residence, and it’s probably best to encourage them to take up residence elsewhere as the majority have already done
Taking Flight
However last February, before the sign went up, this feast of dried corn attracted a huge flock I enjoyed photographing. When a couple approached behind me walking their dog, it caused the alarmed birds to take wing and provided a couple of spectacular shots.
You may remember that back then the shoreline was marked off with yellow caution tape to prevent visitors from stepping into the muck. Quite right—but I’ve removed the tape digitally from these photos to make for better pictures. Taken with my iPhone 11 Pro
Ducklings with Their Mother, May 26th, 2012
Frequent visitors to the pond look forward to the appearance of the new ducklings every spring. It was hard to choose from among my duckling photos, but I settled on this mother looking over her huddled flock.
The Pond in Autumn, October 22, 2008
A few months after we moved into our new home we enjoyed our first experience of the thoughtfully planned autumn color festival that takes place each year at the north end of the park.
Pair of Mallards, March 28, 2010
Although many species visit the pond, mallards are the most common. Is the male keeping watch while his mate takes a nap? I published this photo in my book “Four Seasons on Bainbridge Island,” but have cropped it here to bring the viewer in closer to the birds.
Leaves on Cottonwood Trunk, May 7, 2021
All the cottonwoods surrounding the park sprout leaves on their trunks. In this case their alignment just happened to suggest a swirling garland wrapped around the tree.
Dragonfly, March 7, 2010
Fast-flitting dragonflies are notoriously hard to photograph, so when my wife Paula and I spotted this one on the grass near the pond we took great pains not to frighten it off. We needn’t have bothered—it was dead. It was also clutching the head of another insect, which I have removed to create a more attractive portrait.
Ducks on Ice, Ducks on Ice, 2017
During a hard freeze that winter the ducks seemed baffled, standing around—wondering what had happened to their pond. Early evening sunset light was reflected from the ice up onto their bodies, giving them a lovely glow.
Gazebo in Autumn, October 19, 2019
Golden leaves and drying cattails frame the picturesque gazebo in this view across the pond.
Golden Chain Blossoms, June 7, 2021
This laburnum growing where the paths diverge at one end of the pond provides a spectacular show each spring.
Heron in Cattails, March 5, 2011
This heron stood remarkably calmly, posing for its portrait just a few feet from my camera.
New Year Dawn, January 1, 2015.
I’m not usually one to be up and out with my camera to greet the dawn, but on this chilly winter morning I made an exception as the rising sun painted the frosty grass with stripes of gold.
Christmas Eve Sunset, 2014
This winter afternoon sunset painted the clouds gold and turned the pond into a perfect mirror.
Christmas Eve Sunset, 2014 New Year Dawn, January 1, 2015. Heron in Cattails, March 5, 2011 Golden Chain Blossoms, June 7, 2021 Gazebo in Autumn, October 19, 2019 Ducks on Ice, January 14, 2017 Dragonfly, March 7, 2010 Leaves on Cottonwood Trunk, May 7, 2021 Pair of Mallards, March 28, 2010 The Pond in Autumn, October 22, 2008 Ducklings with Their Mother, May 26th, 2012 Taking Flight Ducks take off Parks Warning Sign OTHER PHOTO ALBUMS
PEOPLE ON BAINBRIDGE
BAINBRIDGE IN BLOOM
IN THE MUSEUM
FUNNIES
OLD STUFF
BRIDGES
REFLECTIONS
SNOW FALLING ON BAINBRIDGE
PEOPLE ELSEWHERE
PEOPLE ELSEWHERE GALLERY
Image courtesy of Bainbridge Public Library ABOUT PAUL BRIANS . Paul Brians does extensive volunteer photography for the Bainbridge Island Land Trust. He created the photo book Four Seasons on Bainbridge Island (2010), was principal photographer for Natural Bainbridge (2019)and contributed the majority of photographs in Dave and Alice Shorett’s Thirty Walks on Bainbridge (2020) published for the benefit of the Land Trust. He also took photos for some years for Bainbridge in Bloom. He has had six exhibitions of his prints on the Island and his pictures have appeared in many regional publications and on Bainbridge-related Web sites. He posts photos daily on Facebook and is an active member of the Bainbridge Island Photo Club.
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"Ducks Take Off" is fabulous. Almost abstract. "Ducks on Ice" reminds me of one of E.B. White's comments re: the geese or ducks that came out of his barn the first cold day and raced to their pond only to find themselves sliding across ice.
"Ducks Take Off" is fabulous. Almost abstract. "Ducks on Ice" reminds me of one of E.B. White's comments re: the geese or ducks that came out of his barn the first cold day and raced to their pond only to find themselves sliding across ice.
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