Kew - a feel of autumn

 Autumn is my favourite time of year,  the crisp chilly mornings and the early light is stunning. So I had a great few hours at Kew today, I have hundreds of photos and I'd love to include most of them but that would probably be a bit excessive... sit back and enjoy!

the sky as you can see was so blue. although it started cold, it did warm up during the morning

I headed round the pond  the other way to normal 

some great reflections

the gunnera in the foreground silhouetting in the light

this is what I mean about the magic of the light in autumn at Kew.  Love the still low sunshine casting shadows

maple turning red, against the sky

the sun shone through plants 

headed straight for the Evolution Garden

water droplets (dew, not rain)  on the euphoriba.

love it 

and on the daisies

beautiful geranium covered in water drops

everywhere I looked the colours and sights were calling.

roses around the pergola 

I can't resist a shadow slefie for Julia 

 

once again Blogger is adding photos in the order it wants...

salvia border in the rock garden

sedum (evolution garden)

couldn't see the label on this

the rock garden 

big funghi

alpine house from the other side of the grass garden

Japanese anemone

love the light shining through the petals

phone version 

Princess of Wales glasshouse across the grasses

I did lots of crouching down to get the light angles how I wanted

you know I always think the shading in the alpine house is like sails on a yacht.

the huge tree next to the alpine house

the hive - there was someone in there on what looked like a photo shoot so stayed at the doorway

edge of the structure 

I cut along the Broad Walk now 

phone view

crouching down makes them look like giants

a few late agapanthas not quite gone over

red hot poker

then I came to the large sweep of alstrameria lilies.  oh my goodness

I got carried away with the water drops here 

eventually I dragged myself along to the echinacea

agapanthas going to seed

still love them

bench

love the veining on the underside 

the weeping willow at the side of the pond by the Palm House 

rope shadows

loving the clouds behind the Palm House

still lots of colour in the rose garden 

I walked through the rose garden

and then headed along the path towards the lake

more stunning light shining through trees 

tree smothered in horse chestnuts

more pretty skies!

by the lake

so many gorgeous reflections 

I crossed the bridge and walked alongside the lake 

then up Cedar Vista towards the Pagoda

the hydrangeas are still looking quite good (and the lace cap ones above)

Japanese anemone in the sun by the Japanese garden

beautiful berries

the pagoda from the steps of the tempterate house 

which had just opened it's doors (which means it's 10 am) 

we were directed to the right and round a side path today

probably because of the overhanging plants in the central section

big leaves 

wish I could walk down this way! 

I forgot to look for the funghi again at the earlier part of the path and you can't double back at present

outside again, the ivy at the top of the steps along the path from the temperate house starting to flower (or finishing? I think it must be the latter from memory)

huge pine tree covered in cones 

I headed to the cafe for refreshments.

there were not seats free at the tables outside, so went to sit on a bench at the pond

and heard a young girl and her dad commenting on the Queen's Beasts that stand along the path in front of the Palm House - all with their masks on

as my friend Lesley says, his nose isn't covered!

I went for hot chocolate today and rhubarb crumble muffin

there isn't as much choice of cake at the moment as it all has to be individualy wrapped

the cake was nice, the drink not - usually it's gorgeous, but it was free so I didn't complain  

another of the Beasts - this is the one Lesley commented on 

it did tickle me though.   

wonder if they were wearing them lst week, I didn't look closely enough if so.

I didn't bother waiting in line for the Palm house but went to the waterlilies instead 

beautiful leaf with light shining through by the door (I think it's a lotus leaf) 

exiting, on route to the Princess of Wales glasshouse

quite  a lot of people here now (numbers are still limited)  so I was beginning to think of home 

flowers atop a cactus

it has a very long stem! 

no sign of the water dragons again today

but of course the grevillea is still flowering

quick visit into the alpine house

I think these are Nerine

there are lots, at both ends !

I headed across the lawn to the Orangery to see the whale again 

before crossing to the end of the Broad Walk  for some final shots

I adore the rudbeckia 

I decided not to rush for the train (I had about 20 minutes so could have made it - there were half hourly today) but took a last look at the end of the Broad Walk

still beautiful, even with the sun higher in the sky

couldn't rsist the asters either 

before sitting on the bench at the exit for a few minutes packing away my camera

I'm not going next week as there is a Run Richmond event on and can't get a time slot till 11 am by when it will be too busy so I'll miss a week!