The crystal structure, anisotropic electrical resistivity and magnetic susceptibility, as well as specific heat results of the pure single crystals of BaFe{sub 2}As{sub 2}, BaFeNiAs{sub 2}, and BaNi{sub 2}As{sub 2} are surveyed. BaFe{sub 2}As{sub 2} properties demonstrate the equivalence of C(T), Fisher's d({chi}T)/dT and d{rho}/dT results in determining the antiferromagnetic transition at T{sub N} = 132(1) K. BaNi{sub 2}As{sub 2} shows a structural phase transition from a high-temperature tetragonal phase to a low-temperature triclinic pol symmetry at T{sub 0} 131 K, with superconducting critical temperature well below at {Tc} 0.69 K. BaFeNiAs{sub 2} does not show any sign of superconductivity and gives behavioral similarity to BaCo{sub 2}As{sub 2}, a renomalized paramagnetic metal.