a Foggy Kew

Woke to fog, so was hoping for it to last till Kew time, for some atmospheric photos (hopefully).  It was still quite misty at 10. 

there is still a lot of work going on for the Kew Christmas trail (which starts on the 13th Nov unbelievably)

the yoshino cherry trees round the rose garden are beautifully coloured, but losing leaves fast 

off to the right as I headed across (wet) grass to find Kim at the lake

Hill Arches Henry in the mist 

as I walked past the end of the Mediterranean garden I saw one of the resident foxes, he was heading away from me but I crept up behind (and changed lens en route) to get some pics

he didn't want to hang around though (I had no food!) 

part of the Mediterranean garden was roped off (looks like they're re-seeding the grass) so I had to go a long way round back to where I wanted to be

there was a pair of Egyptian geese close to where the fox had been but they're a bit big to be a target

I carried on and cut across the grass to the lake

the Henry (still not looking like sheep) in a misty background

the striations on the top piece were showing up in the misty morning 

as I approached the lake I could see the heron stood at the side in front of Kim on the bench

there were a lot of mallards today, the heads of the drakes are so beautiful 

yes, heron, you're looking good too.

I had a choice of lenses today so I could get closer shots 

the colours around the lake are still there, but will be fading soon.  not much in the way of reflection in the water though, it was too misty

the gulls like to sit on the top of the backs of the benches.  

sadly I had my hands in my pockets as the heron took off and flew across the lake - typical!  

the big trees next to the bench by the lake 

on the island the other side of the lake crossing. 

the fog seemed to make the colour pop well. 

I was still on the macro lens so it was too long to get a full view 

but the phone was a good substitute

walking along the lake the other side of the crossing

trees in the middle of the  island (there are actually 4 islands in total)

fir tree to my left in the grass 

blogger is reversing these,  this one is further towards the end of the lake

different lens to see the trees on the island better

this beauty is towards the far end of the lake and was looking fantastic

lots of oranges and yellows on it and still green too

we walked back round the lake on the other side again toward the crossing

misty view from the far end of the lake towards the crossing (out of sight)

as we got to the bench, the heron was back, along with Peter

we headed on though for refreshments

there were lots of people at the Henry near the Palm House

loving the colours. 

due to Christmas, the outside seats at the Victoria cafe have gone (to make way for the "food village") so we sat on the memorial bench looking at the Palm House 

which made the obligatory cake shot difficult.

the suppliers of the catering have changed this week and this was a turmeric and blueberry muffin (although I only found one cranberry and no blueberries, so maybe the label was wrong...)  as an experiment it was ok but not going to be a regular

the hot chocolate was ok though!  

as we were sitting there, we noticed that they were testing the display on the pond - water and lights

you can't really tell how it will be at night with the full effect...

by the time we had got closer, of course they stopped the test...

so carrying on round towards the Princess of Wales conservatory.

new displays ; you can see that they will be lit different colours 

walked through the POW but didn't take any pictures

side of the carbon garden 

pink nerines outside the gateway to the Duke's garden

yucca

it was quite mild now and the mist going 

vine leaves along the edge of the vegetable garden 

berberis in the evolution garden 

Physalis - skeletonising nicely now

the mahonia, from a distance.  

yucca flowers

we crossed the Broad Walk 

looking to the left towards the Palm House

some more of the Christmas lights

gorgeous liquidamber tree still with loads of leaves 

acers  

we were taking photos of the gorgeous trees,  when Kim saw a fox but it ran off before we could get a photo.

clumps of funghi on the ground

my camera battery died on me as we came across some pumpkins by the side of a path. luckily I carry a spare (or 2)  

back towards the lake,  I decided to head home as my wrist was aching from the heavy lenses, and having to keep swinging the rucksack on my back

gingko trees by the refurbished Minka house

the sun was almost out,  I headed along the muddy grass towards the Palm House and exit

there were quite a lot of shadows now, very different to a couple of hours before 

passing the Henry for a second time

holly bush at the pathway to the rose garden

pausing for a last picture of the yoshino cherry trees - I'd packed away the macro lens but the colour was fabulous

and then home.

thanks for looking, see you next week,  there may  be more Christmas in view!