Today's visit to Kew was perfect. Very cold, but dry (yay) and sunny. The trains tried to make me late but failed
it had been foggy at home first thing and frosty, it was still a little frosty but the fog had gone and the sky was already blue when I walked across the river
as I walked in I took a pre-opening shot
some contemporary Christmas trees although I was really taking the green variety!
my more usual opening shot
shade cast by the big trees over my left shoulder
but at least no dull grey sky today
and amazing colours and reflections in the pond
on my way to the opening shot I had stopped for a shadow selfie, not had enough sun for this for weeks!
and there's an unintentional one in the corner of this too
I love the light on days like today, low bright sun, hazy quality after the earlier fog
but the remaining leaves were gleaming bright
as I said when I shared a phone-version of this, what is better than rain drops? Frozen raindrops!
as I turned the corner towards the Hive, the seedheads at the edge of the Broad Walk
trunk of one of the oldest trees in Kew, the Japanese Pagoda tree
I rarely take photos of it as you can't get much in at one time!
view of the Broad Walk from the path round the Hive
steps down from the Hive
they were washing the floor of the Hive so I couldn't go inside and had to come down again
the leaves are still looking painted and the frost was melting in the sunshine
round the corner now
the Alpine House and in the foreground the Princess of Wales conservatory
the frost on the windows was melting
but it made nice patterns
one of the water dragons was on the rock in the water again but the mangrove branches in the foreground made capturing it very difficult again
so I left him to it and walked round
didn't come across any more anywhere (this time... tease, tease!)
orchids
outside again, all the leaves were soaking wet, from melting frost
and I was able to capture some more drips
a hop skip and a jump from there to the evolution garden
snowdrops are emerging under the canopy of a large acer in the rock garden
scillia are emerging in the alpine house
I cut back past the Hive towards the Broad Walk
were I crossed the path
and headed into the arboretum
with Kew Palace peeking through the trees
I peeked through the hedge surrounding the children's playground
now that the leaves have dropped from the hedge you can see bits of it
I crossed wet grass
stopping for water drops
towards the lake
oh wow...
Christmas at Kew
the colours at the lake were simply stunning...
above
and below the water line
I walked up the side of the lake
another of those "painted leaf" trees round the edge of the lake
beautiful reflection of tree trunks
swan preening at the little pond along Cedar Vista
rather than take time to change lens I used the phone for this one
just love the colours on this tree
the rowan berries are still smothering the tree
I decided to walk quickly to the Japanese garden before the Temperate House
more frosty berries
gorgeous red acer
the waterfall in the Temperate House
outside the path at the foot of the bank, a slight misty look to the view
I crossed onto the grass to head for something to eat and drink (I was late, it was already mid-day)
I decided to sit outside for what will probably be the last time this year,
the table was covered in dew drops or melted frost but the chairs were dry
soon after taking this picture (but after I'd eaten the case) a blackbird pooped on my coat sleeve from the tree above me.... thanks!
another hot chocolate, and a "Rudoph red velvet loaf" was nice....
I then walked round the pond again
some beautiful reflections
a good thing about Christmas at Kew is that they build a viewing platform for the finale, light display over the Palm House, so you get a great view, slightly higher up than normal
just love it
phone shot
the sun behind the Palm House creates gorgeous sillhouettes
I went inside as there was a cool wind here
out through the "back door" overlooking the rose garden
and round to the side again
past the end of the Palm House beds
and into the POW again,
past this cactus in the sun
the water dragon had moved along the rock a bit and turned round but that was about it
but through the tunnel, a group of people were gathered so I knew what I would find
before heading back outside past some more orchids
and heading for the exit, and home
thanks again for looking
What a fabulous visit.
