Hi, after a few days of really intense heat in parts of the UK today was not meant to be quite as hot, but I knew Kew would be gorgeous... sunglasses and sun hat at the ready, off I went.
6am and the sun was a big red ball rising in the sky seen from one of my windows. Promising much...
the high temperatures (in the low 80s) hadn't been kind to the orange Imperial Crown fritillaries in the Palm House beds...they were looking decidedly past their best!
but the circular bed in front of the pond was looking good still
this week the shot I was trying for last week, worked!
the prunus, flowering cherry were looking even more spectacular this week
and the light danced on the grass
everywhere was blossom...
water fountain
a few more of the snakeshead fritillary were out... the board says there are 30000 bulbs in this area.
a lot of the magnolias seemed to have peaked too, guess the heat was too much for them (me too!)
but it had brought out the bluebells
although I did have trouble getting the camera to focus on them even with the flash new lens!
but they look glorious shining in the bright sunlight. so I kept going!
there were already lots of people about, relaxing on the grass and enjoying the peace...
I headed for the lake and the way to the woodland area where there were no bluebells last week either...
it was already hot, I was glad of my hat
the reflections were amazing
walking along the path I noticed what looked like a moth... closer inspection showed it to be a lost ear-ring rescued and hung on a tree!
It was cool(ish) walking along the side of the lake in the shade of the big trees
the mud of last week had dried out (just as well, I was wearing sandals)
and the blossom was stunning
and the sky blue
I always like it along here, in the dappled shade created by these fabulous trees
and the bluebells here had come out since last week too - staggering to think that just 7 days ago, there was no blue here at all
the huge pile of fallen tree trunks (left to encourage the wildlife) was looking interesting...
the acid green looks so vibrant against the blue of the bluebells
tiny pine cones growing
it was so bright (and I was only looking through the lens) I didn't see the insect on the petal till just now...
no way was I climbing the steps up there today!
(no idea Elizabeth, why the lift is so often not working, though I didn't check today, but didn't notice it ascending!)
the hoardings at the back of the Temperate House are down now, they were there working again...
just 2 weeks to go.
I turned a corner and WOW!!!
underplanting the flowering cherries on the pathway to the side of the Temperate House... hundreds (over 1000 the sign said) of brightly coloured tulips.)
I got very carried away here...
planted specially for the re-opening of the Temperate House.
It looks spectacular!
I do hope there will be some left in bloom in 2 weeks when they have the official re-opening!
I eventually dragged myself away....
back past the Palm House beds - went into the cafe but there was a long queue for food so just had some (free) water... nice and cold and refreshing
new growth on the gunnera at the far side of the Palm House pond
and more troughs of tulips outside a restaurant
Mallus, tree was smothered in blooms
apple blossom
the bullrushes aren't as fluffy as the ones my cousin sees!
tiny blooms in the Alpine House
tulips in the sun outside the POW house, blousy and wide open now
not sure if this is coming or going, under a fern!it was quite odd looking
jade vine
back outside, a host of golden daffodils...!
a jay was hopping about under a tree, but wouldn't let me any closer
looking along the Broad Walk, so full of colour
bright bronze fern
dancing Crown Imperial fritillaries, these don't look to have suffered in the sun
there were still clumps of daffodils in the Broad Walk beds
stunning trees to my left...
more gorgeous tulips
great cloud patterns
stopped to look back all the way up the Broad Walk..
at the end of the Broad Walk as you turn to go towards the exit (going in the direction I was) a bed of white daffodils and
... have forgotten what these are...
a patch of bright magenta pink caught my eye, more tulips!
stunning blossom on the the tree
and some final red tulips!
(I did warn you)
they were playing cricket on Kew Green...
but I was heading home, too hot to stop and watch.
I may not get to go next week, as I have a hair appointment, so the next time I go could well be when we get to see inside the Temperate House and back to the special 8am members opening!
thanks for looking, hope you have enjoyed these photos (let me know!)
back outside, a host of golden daffodils...!
