A sunny Kew - and more stunning colour

What a difference in the weather this week! 

 beautiful blue skies and sunshine creating big shadows

After my opening shots I turned and went the other way because I wanted to make the most of the sunshine (it was due to turn cloudier 

and go this way round...

the leaves of the tree are even more gorgeous than last week

 and the sun on the Sapphire Star ....well   just gorgeous

 snapped a selfie (hair colour was re-done this week!) 

 you can't get as close to the tree this year as the area round the Chihuly is roped off...

 good thing for long lenses

 I walked along the path towards the gallery,

 these pink flowers look much better this week against blue rather than rainy gray sky!

the toadstools I saw last week are quite mushy now (it's been very very wet this week!)


but there were loads about again as we shall see later

 everywhere underfoot was wet and muddy but the shadows and colours were fabulous as I had hoped

 I didn't call in here yet,

 I wanted to catch the best of the sunshine on the vines and creepers around the

 pergolas at the Pavilion restaurant

 and of course the beautiful berries

 just as I was hoping! 

 I'm so glad they kept them when they refurbished the restaurant (it re-opened not long ago)

 all around huge trees... in stunning autumn shades

although there are only 2 in this photo, there were 3 male peacocks close to the restaurant

 the third one had wandered off a bit

 it isn't far from there to the Pagoda,

 with a vista back down to the Temperate House

and from there the Japanese Garden ..

the Nijima Floats were well illuminated today

 it's so sad that after next weekend they will be going..

 the trees the other side of the path

more berries...

 more funghi, teeny ones

 pale pinky white ones... loved these

 I walked down a very muddy Cedar Vista... luckily I had taken time to treat my boots with a waterproof spray before leaving home so my feet stayed dry today

 by the side of the pond, a late flowering hardy geranium, feeding the bee/hover thing

 wispy pampas grass in the sun

 I knew the reflections would be worth seeing at the lake

 there were a couple of geese up this tree making a right racket  only one on show on this branch though

 a large group of large funghi round the base of a tree

 you know I can't resist the view from the lake crossing in this weather!

 phone...











selfie time again

 the geese were enjoying a splash

 walking round the side of the lake

 walked under the tree canopy at the end of the lake

 and round to the reeds and marlins


they were roped off (due to mud)  from this side

 but you could still get a good view

shadow selfie on the mud that is no longer grass!

 never seen the Cattails looking so sparkly (well  I have but never captured it so well)

 it's like they're putting on a last blaze of glory for me!

(and you)

 inside the Temperate House, 

 halfway up the stairs (isn't that a Kermit the Frog song??) 











just beautiful as always

 everything was bathed in sunshine this morning

 some grey clouds outside though...

 I walked slowly round the platform

 my eye caught sight of a bird hopping up the roof - can you see him?

 

 I remember these tall yellow plants from last year (one of the Kew staff did tell me then what they are, but of course I can't remember)

 pretty little red flowers hanging over the path

 trying not to miss anything...

 these were growing under the white Ikebana (above) 

I lifted it by the stem it was growing from (out of shot) and was surprised to find it was quite heavy... no idea what it is though

 from underneath

 Aloysia. .  delicate.. pretty..

 teeny tiny fuschia.... hard to photograph (sorry it's a bit blurry)

 scale! 

 Babaco (never heard of it)

banana leaf

 the red cattails show up from a distance well now

 going to the gallery now...

 loved these leaves (it's an acer I am sure you realised - red-bud maple it's called)  Must look for the red buds in spring!

 there was almost a queue to get in and round the gallery - everyone making the most of the last week

 back outside I  noticed the time - gone 12 - no wonder I was hungry...

 not that I'll have these...

but it was time to head for refreshments

 not these either, however pretty they are (I may not have noticed them if someone else hadn't been crouched down looking at them as I walked along the path)

 as I reached Sapphire Star again, I couldn't resist some more photos of the tree

it was warm enough (and obviously dry) to eat outside this week  - went for the chocolate ombre cake again although I did notice another new flavour in the little loaf cakes, so may try that next time!


my coffee was free today as I'd filled my loyalty card (buy 8 get the 9th free) - member perk!

 after I'd eaten, I headed round the pond

 more tiny funghi under a group of trees outside some loos (toilets/restrooms)  - often use these ones as they are a bit hidden and there are neve queues!

 the gunnera is still huge

 the pond sparkling

 love this cloud

 there were loads of gulls flying around by the Paintbrushes

 which looked stunning today in the sun

 the beds either side of the path half way along the Palm House have been re-planted


I hadn't noticed when I took my opening shot as they are still very small

 couldn't miss going in the Waterlily house...  lots of others had the same idea, you can see them all round the outside.



so I didn't linger

 stripy stems in the bed in the planting between the front door and the inner door

the pin oak from last week still looking good


it was time to go and look for dragons...

there was only one - up his pillar again, and I couldn't get good shots because of the leaves in  the way...

 from the higher level... you can see how high the pillar is better in this

 there were some more orchids flowering in the warmer of the orchid rooms

 and another flush of trumpet vines in the cool orchid room

 I walked through the woodland walk on my way to the evolution garden


love the golden leaves through the face sculpture

 red hot pokers in the rock garden

 cyclamen in the alpine house

 acer on the top of the waterfall

 past the face again

 I headed back to the Palm House again

a got a closer look at the gulls this time as they were swooping around in front of me

 I may have got carried away...

 the weeping willow was brilliant (literally)

 I'm glad they've left the urns planted (for now)

 crowds looking at Summer Sun

 having walked through the Palm House,

the grass in the middle of the rose garden is being restored so you can't walk down it - and I couldn't be bothered to go round the outside to look any closer (as you know, this isn't my favourite!)

 so instead I headed down the Broad Walk (trees off to the left.  slight ominous cloud hovering...)

 well you have to capture the seed heads!

 the purple daisies are still going strong

that's it for today - a mega heavy post I feel... but had to be done.

thanks for looking- come back next week for the final chance to see Chihuly... (sad face)