Bloedel Reserve - Chapter I: The Meadow, The Bird Refuge Pond and The Woods

We traveled across the sound today, on the ferry from downtown Seattle, to Bainbridge Island. Our purpose was to visit a specialty nursery, but also to take the opportunity to return to The Bloedel Reserve. Bloedel Reserve is the the former estate garden of a local timber baron family which is now a treasured preserve open to the public. We have been there before, but not for a long time. We found it more spectacular than ever; so much so that I have way too many photos to share. So I will be posting in chapters through the week. We began at the Gatehouse. And then through the meadow, where bird song filled the air. At the edge of the meadow we entered a wooded area,

where native plants edged the path, like this native rhododendron,

until we came to the pond, or bird refuge.

There were only a few water fowl taking "refuge",

but this Mallard mother and her ducklings were having a great time.

Beyond the pond The Woods beckoned.

A boardwalk took us over the bog

which was home to skunk cabbage

and cobra lilies.

Old nurse logs and stumps told of the old growth that once ruled here.

But, ah, something much more civilized lurks ahead.

"Man's first recorded home was a garden, no sooner known than lost. We've been trying to return ever since." -from the Bloedel Reserve guide.

So true. And I felt like I was in Eden today.