The forecast for today was not good...heavy rain... after a week of record high temperatures.. but, it's only rain.....
I was already quite wet when the gates opened at 8 - unsurprisingly I was the only one waiting to be let in! Sadly the shop wasn't open yet or I'd have gone straight in and bought a brolly (yes I know, why didn't I take one with me!)
nor had I worn my "waterproof" coat because it isn't especially, and it makes me too hot...
the rain bouncing on the pond
ok let's ignore the rain and go down the Broad Walk...
EVERYTHING was soaking....
this is taken from the underneath low level of the Hive looking up through the glass floor, with the rain puddling on it. I didn't go and look any closer
the salvia border on the right of the path down the Rock Garden,
at this stage I went back to the shop and bought a large umbrella although my sleeves were already wet through (I could feel my long sleeved top I was wearing was wet too)
and then headed back past the Palm House beds
and back down the Broad Walk
the main reason I don't like carrying a brolly is what to do with it when I'm trying to take pictures.. but as it has a long handle I could balance it on my shoulder
not a very flattering selfie!
and yes, my hair has changed colour since last week!
I was in my element... if a bit soggy
I headed across some very squelchy grassy areas towards the lake
past trees dripping with berries and water
past Chihuly...
to the lake.. I was surprised to see still quite a lot of weed on the surface (mostly weed, rather than pollen and weed)
but it did make the flowers stand out at the water's edge
Dad was on the side, presumably waiting for his feeder, but there was no-one around but me
only 4 babies... not sure if this is the same brood, with some sadly missing, or another lot..
the cygnets and mum were in the water
I went back to the Chihuly outside the Temperate House, raindrops on that too.
still too early to go in.
I walked to the end of the Temperate House intending to go down the steps and past the Cattails - this was the "puddle" at the bottom that greeted me... I stepped onto the pillar at the left corner and across the grass to find the edge of the puddle...
I decided to go back to the Victoria Cafe and have refreshments!
circular bed opposite the Palm House
it was no day for outside eating... I took my coat off and realised how wet I was underneath it...
I chatted to the lady at the next table to me, who was in a similar condition
(chocolate ombre cake if you're curious... had this several times lately, it's gorgeous, light, moist sponge cake
it looked as it if had almost stopped raining. so I headed back out again.
the Palm House beds
one of the urns
as it was now 10 I was able to walk through the Palm House
and from there across the path to the Waterlily House
I did the "low down" thing again
as I was finishing up the lady from the cafe came in and asked how I kept my lens clear (her glasses had steamed up)
I let her into the secret of my camera lens cloth!
one of the urns outside the Waterlily House
on my way to the Princess of Wales house now
past some familiar sights.
the rain had stopped now, I could put my brolly down.
my cousin will recognise this, and luckily I could use my brolly to lever myself up from the low level shooting and avoid the spiky cactus trunk she inadvertently leant on!
a fresh batch of flowers bloomed since last week
I headed round the POW looking for water dragons...
on the lower level in the tree by the little stream
the adult was on a branch right close to the path - within touching distance had I wished.
I got carried away
and as I leant in closer I saw one of the little ones on a branch further back.
joy!!
I was travelling light today so only had two lenses with me so couldn't use the longest zoom
I was fascinated how the adult could cling to such a tiny branch!
good balance. obviously
the Kew man who often feeds them came round with a colleague and recognised me, asked if I had seen the young one.
eventually I tore myself away -
the titan arum is growing...
I went up the stairs to see if there was another water dragon
before walking round by the pond
and circulating again
they were both still in the tree but not really doing anything, so didn't take too many more
new blooms on this too
I always get so carried away with this
into the Alpine House now
don't remember seeing one of these before (they change the display regularly)
it's called Leuzea
I couldn't read the label at the foot of these (outside in the boggy bit at the foot of the waterfall outside the waterlily house)
Headed for the evolution garden
got carried away with raindrops again.
agapanthas
loosestrife
I love this bed in the evolution garden
they're really tall purple and yellow flowers
these are fruits? seeds? on the handkerchief tree
I decided I should head to the Temperate House
the Osage Orange tree is covered in fruit
a lady and her mum were looking at them too, they asked me if they turned colour (given the name) but I said I'd only ever seen them like this (actually they do go a bit yellow)
next along the bed was this
couldn't see the label and couldn't get past it (it was overhanging the grass and was too wet to brush past/crouch under)
from the doorway into the TH
the silver daisy bush seems to be starting new growth again
halfway up the stairs
you get some different views from the top
as I walked through the Temperate House i came across new things.
this is scadoxus membranaceus
I walked past the refurbished Pavilion restaurant. all the tables outside were wet and all the ones inside were full...
hydrangeas outside the gallery where the Chihuly exhibits are
more bottoms!
and tops!
the Jerusalem cylinders
I love how the clear bits look as if they are stuck on (which I suppose in a way they are)
and inside too!
I looked at the ones along the other wall.
I realised that they have a cone-shaped piece inside
which I hadn't noticed before!
you see something new every time!
in the bark mulch under a tree, a big fat mushroom
I walked past Summer Sun again
I decided it was time to leave, but first I walked down the Broad Walk a final time so I could pop into the POW again
I sat on a bench for a few minutes, it was barely spitting with rain now
in the rill outside the POW
I think this is a kind of aloe or similar
I walked back to the area I'd seen the two in the tree.
this time the little one was down on the floor
(although I am not sure it's the same little one, it's too green, I think it is the other little one!)
he's being fed wriggly worms of some kind
as I left (there was a crowd round at this time) he turned and headed under the tree - had enough attention obviously
I cut through the underpass and the other adult was on the wall again
I went back to the little one - it was on the rock under the tree
I did also see another one, in the cool orchid room, which the Kew guy was also feeding, but it was hiding in the greenery and I didn't get a shot in focus.
final look at the one on the wall
and then time for home!
thanks for looking - hope you enjoyed today's rather wet trip!
