Tag Archives: Bloedel Reserve

Backlighting the Moss

The Pacific Northwest can definitely be damp and the amount of moss you see in sheltered areas is impressive.  What caught my eye on this occasion was that the moss was wrapped around the tree and the sun was directly behind the tree making the moss appear more like a halo around the tree than anything else.  It was quite a range of exposures, so I played around with the shots a little to get the effect I was after.

Domed Spider Webs

Anyone out there a specialist in spiders?  I know plenty of people who absolutely hate spiders.  They are not going to be much use to me here.  Besides, a lot of them are from the UK and I never saw anything like this when I lived there.  As we were walking around the grounds at Bloedel Reserve, we saw a lot of spiders’ webs that were a domed structure.  They didn’t look like webs that I had seen before.  They seem to have a lot of web material above them and then a dome structure to the main web itself.  I think the spider sits underneath the dome awaiting its prey.  Anyone know anything more about this and how it works?

Frilly Ferns

While walking around on the grounds of Bloedel Reserve, we came across these ferns.  The shape of most ferns is pretty familiar.  These were unlike anything I had seen before.  The ends of the ferns split out into multiple mini fronds.  They looked like some sort of lace work that people would have created.  Maybe this is nothing new to some of you but I was quite taken but the ornamental nature of these fronds compared to what I have seen previously.

Mossy Bench

Wandering through the grounds at Bloedel Reserve, we came across a bench for visitors.  This bench did not look too inviting and I suspect it hadn’t been used for a while.  Maybe this was due to the shutdown period when no one was visiting so no one was sitting on the bench.  Alternatively, maybe no one ever sits on the bench.  Whatever the reason, this bench has accumulated a decent layer of moss.

The bench is located in a shady spot near water so clearly it is a moist environment.  A good place for moss to grow.  The bench has plenty of surfaces on which things can get established.  It isn’t in the least bit remote, though, so hardly out of the way of regular traffic.  Still, with that much moss now on it, I think it is probably not an appealing place for people to sit.  Consequently, the moss is going to remain undisturbed.  I wonder whether they will clean it off or, if we come back in a year, the bench will be encased in a cushion of moss!

Bloedel Revisited

Not long after we first moved to the Pacific Northwest we made a trip to Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island.  No surprise to know that there is a previous blog post from that visit and you can see that here.  As things have gradually reopened, the Reserve was open for visitors again under certain restrictions.  There were timed slots only for you to reserve and the main trail had been made one way to minimize the encounters with other visitors.  You didn’t need to wear a mask except when you where near to other guests.  (If you have an issue with masks, please feel free to not tell me about it.)

The visit this time was really nice.  Sure, it might be that we haven’t done very much in the last few months so the chance to get out and walk in pretty surroundings on a sunny day is welcome.  Bloedel is still just a nice place to visit.  The variety of grounds from mossy woodland to meadows to manicured lawns to Japanese gardens makes for a good visit.  An advantage of the one way system is that it ensures you visit all elements of the garden and don’t miss out on parts of it.  Some areas are closed off to visitors but, on the whole, you get a great experience.

The length of the walk around the main trail is not long.  It is just over two miles.  We were passed by a few groups of people.  I’m not sure why they were in such a hurry.  We wanted to enjoy the grounds at a leisurely pace to make the most of the effort to get there (the ferries are on a reduced schedule which doesn’t reflect the volume of vehicles making the trip) so took our time and savored the beauty of the location.

Bloedel Reserve is definitely a lovely location.  The fact that they found a way to open up – even if only in a limited way – is a good thing.  We were glad to be able to support them when things are clearly not easy for them and we obviously got the benefit of being out there on a lovely summer day in the Pacific Northwest.  Now just remember it is always raining up here so you don’t need to move here.

Goslings En Masse

Spring is the season for new life.  The geese had obviously been taking the task to heart because, as we walked around Bloedel Reserve, there was a large gathering of goslings.  It appeared to be that several families were mingling together.  I guess strength comes in numbers.  The adults were all grazing around the periphery of the group while the multitude of goslings were munching away in the middle.

When we were in Seattle a week later, we came across more goslings.  A smaller group this time but the same thing with the adults keeping an eye on them.  A couple were getting a bit more adventurous and heading off on their own but they were soon brought back into line.  I wonder how many predators geese have.  I guess hawks will be happy to take them out but the numbers might explain why there are so many geese wherever you go these days.

Fungi in the Woods

The grounds of Bloedel Reserve included a lot of different types of growth.  Meadows and woodland, organized gardens and natural growth.  There is obviously a lot of moisture in some areas because the amount of fungal growth was substantial.  Some of the fungi were small growths while others seemed to be substantial organisms.  The majority were growing on tree trunks, whether still alive or lying dead on the ground.  While I find fungus interesting, there is a lurking thought in my mind from watching too many sci-fi movies that, as I get close, spores will burst forth and I shall be infected with some terrible disease.  Fortunately , this time I got away with it.  Clearly, there is no harm to watching to much TV as a kid.

What a Great View of the Sound!

The house at Bloedel Reserve sits up on the hill with the grounds landscaped to provide an unobstructed view down to the sound below.  You can imagine the tranquility of sitting on the terrace in the evening, sipping a cocktail and looking out at the water.  Unfortunately, at the time of our visit, a large barge was moored a short distance out in the water.  I’m sure the view is beautiful but, with a barge plonked in the middle of things, somehow the delightful nature of the scene is a little compromised!

Bloedel Reserve

I’m always on the lookout for the place I might move to when I decide to lay off the whole sordid business of working for a living.  We took a trip to Bainbridge Island which, if you asked Nancy, was a chance to check out some of our new area or, if you asked me, was a house hunting trip.  The place I was looking at was called Bloedel Reserve.  They may tell you that it is an estate that is now open to visitors but clearly they are keeping it ready for me.  A nice little house with some delightful gardens.

The house is not necessarily my style but I’m sure I could find a way to make it work.  The grounds do look like they might need a reasonable amount of effort.  I suppose I could buy a little mower to ride around on but that does sound a bit like hard work.  I suppose I could get some help.  I wonder whether Nancy would like a little John Deere?