The Round Pond

The Round Pond is an “ornamental lake”  in Kensington Gardens, just west of Kensington Palace’s front entrance. It was created by George II around 1730, and despite its name being  “Round”  it is actually rectangular—with rounded corners. Measuring approximately 200 m by 150 m, it covers approximately seven acres and is up to 5m deep in parts. The swans. geese. and many other birds living there never fail to entertain.

The Round Pond Series, Part 1

When in London, my dogs and I are daily visitors to Kensington Gardens’ Round Pond. We’re fascinated by the creatures who inhabit it. Whatever the hour, day, or occasion, there is always something to witness at this historic sanctuary. I didn’t preplan this Round Pond series. It is observation and interest driven. My naturalistic, and whimsical painting style invites story and suggestions of what might be. All creatures portrayed are given personality and potential, conjure metaphor and meaning.

1. Swan Drip: oil on birch, 24 x 30 in, 2012 -13
2. Swan Lock: oil on birch, 36 x 36 in, 2012 - 13
3. Majestic Mother (Egyptian Goose): oil on birch, 18 x 24 in, 2012 - 13
4. Learning to Swim (Egyptian Geese): oil on birch, 12 x 24 in, 2012 - 13
5. Kensington Swan, Canada Geese: oil on birch, 12 x 24 in, 2012 - 13

Messages and Meaning  from the Round Pond

From morning to night, the birds at the Round Pond make every day moments special. If you look very carefully, you’ll see how they show us what matters in life, and how the best things never change.

The Round Pond is a magical place. Believe it or not, it is hundreds of years old, so lots has happened  there and around it. Visitors come and go, and people may have changed how they look and act, but its birds have stayed the same. 

What the birds do now is what they did then. What delights humankind—and what we notice now—is as meaningful as it was in the very beginning. Animals have an amazing way of showing us what‘s necessary and when, and not to forget it.

Somehow, when we take time to notice what swans, geese, and other birds do, it can make us think and wonder. Rituals and routines pass from generation to generation. The simplest ones, happening right in front of us, make us smile.

Feeling peaceful, calm, excited, or relieved after a visit to the Round Pond isn’t unusual. That’s why many of us return. With so much happening in a fast-moving world, it’s nice to find a safe quiet spot where Mother Nature keeps things simple.

She reminds us of what’s important—shows how to:

1. Take quiet moments by oneself to reflect and let things out
2. Love and connect
3. Keep little ones safe and warm
4. Stay close and cautious when teaching or learning something new
5. Keep on moving, and feel beautiful, even if different from others

If we are patient and watch the birds long and hard enough, our heads fill with stories. Every living creature, young, old, or in between, has tales to tell—whether human, or bird.

Poem about the Series

Royal Feathers at the Round Pond

Color and quietude
Connection and clarity
Quality of life
Order of nature
Things as they should be

Not Just Any Birds

These have found their ideal setting—for life and in paint
Feel the love
Let them be
When all else changes
Rejoice that they’ll be able to stay the same

A Poem about Each Piece


1. Swan Drip: oil on birch, 24 x 30 in, 2012 -13

Swan Drip

Your nose drips
And a puddle forms

Your nose drips
And you seem very human

We can relate

From your drip,  circles form
Pools of possibility
Extending out from the point of impact

Captured in the moment
Off guard
But guarded

Nothing staged
Timing can be everything


2. Swan Lock: oil on birch, 36 x 36 in, 2012 - 13

And Then There Were Four

The swans interlocked
Captured in the moment

Unsuspecting viewer and
Unsuspecting swans

Swans, they say, mate for life
So, are they in love?
At a glance, looks like it

They’r flanked by two others
The one facing in alongside
And the other facing forward fishing

What is their relationship?
Are they family?

Private moments
In public spaces

A theme that’s current
Ancient birds in a modern world

Special connections put under the scope
When they need to be left in peace


3. Majestic Mother (Egyptian Goose): oil on birch, 18 x 24 in, 2012 - 13

Majestic Mother Love

She sits majestic
Keeping warm
Keeping others warm

Tending her chicks
Her chicks tending her

Personalities develop
From infant to youth
Nature’s truth

Innocence protected
Then set free

What’s ahead, not known
In the meantime, hanging close to Mama


4. Learning to Swim (Egyptian Geese): oil on birch, 12 x 24 in, 2012 - 13

At Water’s Edge

We learn by doing
And do by learning

After watching these chicks grow
Day by day
Nothing more satisfying than seeing them
On their way

From round puffy balls
Little bodies developing

Poised to plunge

Camaraderie of siblings
Confidence from togetherness
Developmental rituals that all species have

All the more poignant when noticing others
Innocence, and witnessing of it, easily allure

5. Kensington Swan, Canada Geese: oil on birch, 12 x 24 in, 2012 - 13

Swan and Geese

Regal Swan
Canada Geese passing by

The power of One
Set alongside many

Home territory of the swan
Boldness of traveling geese

Each goes about their day
No one getting in anyone’s way

Cultures worlds apart
The Round Pond
A sanctuary for locals and visitors