Orchids at Kew - week 1

 No sun, but plenty of colour in the Princess of Wales conservatory for the start of this year's Orchid Display.

there was a massive queue waiting for the gates to open, of course Kim and I were at the front!  

I wasn't going to miss my habitual opening shot

but then hurried to catch Kim up at the POW 

the country being featured this year is Peru.

whilst the varieties of orchid are much the same as previous years, the feature displays of native animals and birds and butterflies are different - and  never disappoint

the first hour's time slots are for members only but it was busy from the get-go so it was sometimes difficult to avoid people in shots

the set route takes you through the arid/desert section first 

I haven't photographed all the boards that tell you about the displays (yet, will probably do that another week)

now it is into the rainforest bit, where the main display is always, in the pond

bit of backlighting issue, bear with...

there was a crowd in front of the display so I had to do a bit of dodging back and forwards

strung across the pond is a display of airplants

I'll get better shots next week and hopefully if it's sunny outside that will also help!

the flamingoes were lovely!

over the other side of the steps to the upper level (not accessible during the festival) were more flamingoes 

it was tricky wanting wider views and close ups.. and balancing the bag to change lenses.

at the end of the rainforest room was the first of the traditional arches

I couldn't avoid people, there was no way it would be possible to get it empty!

through to the corridor where there are lots of ferns 

this year it was full of birds

love the gorgeous turquoise one 

you have to remember to look up (we often miss something on the first walk-through)

blogger is reversing a few....

bromeliad at the foot of the arch 

 

next section

this was hung with these star-like seedhead type objects swaying in a breeze

another arch

through another door

the butterflies were fabulous

at this point I wasn't on macro lens...

this was impressive

another butterfly

there were lots of these hanging in the next couple of rooms (the main orchid rooms)

from the other side.

in the first orchid room  - this was suspended on the stairs 

and this one just the other side of the stairs

I put the shorter lens on for an overall look

then swapped back to the macro

into the next room (where the titan arum is)

one of the big pillars  

toward the bottom of the pillars (there are 2 the same in here)   a base of pineapples

a little further on was a bear... Paddington maybe?

he was sweet

over the other side of the path, a huge shark

floating over the water!

and another bear

the fin, from the side

before you go back out into the arid section and the exit,

another arch

and more butterflies

the final arch, from the other side

out into the arid section 

a final display 

it was only when I got home I realised it's meant to be corn on the cob with the hanging part being the leaves.

which explains the coloured corn featuring on it!

final basket by the exit.

there was by now a long queue for the next session to come in.  

hope you enjoyed it, there will be another visit next week

Ok, onto the gardens!  

not much in the alpine house this week

quick walk through the evolution garden

as we approached the pond, a second gull flew onto the fountain to join the higher one...

the newcomer didn't stay long

and the first one left too.  leaving a nice reflection

as we walked further round I noticed the black bird (cormorant?) and it's reflection in the water. 

We decided to beat the crowds and have a drink and cake

although Kim was trying to hide

we visited the winter garden next, in the search for colour

as I was trying to take the dogwood with the euphorbia in front, the main in red in the top of this pic backed across the path into me so he could take the photo he wanted ... seemed surprised I was there!!

lots of snowdrops out in the winter garden now

next stop,the Temperate house

inside the main door (which is currently closed, you go in a side door)  3 huge tubs with citrus trees in 

lemons on this one

lots of blossom coming

we decided to go to the Japanese garden as we've not done for a while

hydrangeas drying.... 

fluff!

pagoda and the gravel garden

we were surprised to see the Japonese Gateway under wraps - it's being restored.  The sign says to come back in the new year to see it - so it must have been longer than we thought since we've visited if it is meant to be nearly ready!

I didn't bother to photograph it in it's polythene blanket!

love the shape of this trunk

as we got to the head of the lake, one of the young foxes same along  - limping, poor thing. 

we walked round the lake towards the crossing

two Egyptian geese were near the crossing, Kim threw them down some food

the vegetation round the lake and on the island, has been cut back recently

you can't normally see the benches on the far side, from the crossing!

when we got round to the benches,  the gulls flew in

ready for feeding!

this Egyptian goose looked at Kim so pleadingly she got some food out for him...

thanks for looking, well done for getting through all the orchids - see you next week