Kew with some sun

 Welcome back for another trip to Kew. 

it was nice to see some blue sky and sun for the start of the morning - it came and went after a while 

during the long wait outside (always get there too early but when you aim to be in first....) 

I was admiring the shadows of the leaves on the lower section of the structure. 

a chilly start had prompted me to grab my hat this morning

we headed round the side of the palm house and the rose garden to the rear first this week

the leaves on the Yoshino cherry trees are falling but a gorgeous colour 

my shadow in the way of the photo!  

we turned off towards the lake 

I was still on the short zoom 

until we got to the lake and sat down 

to start with there were just a few gulls and lots of pigeons

and a couple of tufted ducks

I'd brought the long zoom today which although doesn't do macro style close ups does allow me to get close to the birds

then a lucky shot as the heron flew in - he probably thought it was Peter who brings it chicken....

he took up a stance on the side of the lake a few feet away from us

and had a good look...

the long zoom really helped 

moving behind us he had a good shake of his feathers and was heading off up the grass

a couple of the Egyptian geese came along 

we were about to head off and see what else was around when Peter arrived with some food (including chicken for the heron) so suddenly all the birds appeared

I moved round a little where there is another bench and another view point 

I just missed Peter throwing chicken to the heron, would have made a cracking shot!

the gulls do like to sit on the top of the bench 

it had suddenly gone very grey and cloudy 

still not in macro mode 

heading off up to the end of the lake

we were heading for Queen Charlotte's cottage as one of the other regulars at the gate had shown us a great shot of a fly agaric mushroom (those lovely red ones)  she saw last week - neither Kim or I have ever seen on in the flesh. 

we took the path through the woodland, 

diverting round to where the bird feeders use to be, no sign of Goldie the pheasant, although Dave had just arrived (he's the one who films the squirrels)  who said he hasn't seen Goldie recently either 

heading round to Queen Charlotte's Cottage we did spot these 2 groups of large mushrooms

now in macro lens mode

I really needed to lie down but it was too muddy after a bit of a wet week

Kim getting down close 

we walked on a bit and near the cottage did see what could have been the remnants of the fly agaric, it was definitely red, but starting to decompose. 

we did see another large group of much smaller mushrooms, wish there was something for scale, but they were wee!! 

we headed back on our way for a cuppa, near the small lily pond 

gingko 

by the small pond, fab colour, the blue sky hadn't come back which would have been better 

they cut back a lot of the hydrangeas but these were left, although fading of course

we took a path that winds through lots of ferns

 fading flowers on a hydrangea 

near the Pavilion cafe for tea 

this was the red vine we sat under last week 

Kim brought some gorgeous gingery biscuits

we then headed off to the Temperate House

the underside of this was a really delicate blue colour

the Material World display ends on 2 November 

at the far end of Cherry Walk 

aeoniums under the shelter of King William's temple 

along the path back to the Palm House 

blogger has been good up to now but these next few are out of order 

ok back on track.

the yoshino trees round the rose garden, other half to earlier 

we headed across the grass through the middle of the rose garden to the Palm House 

taking a few photos on my way for the colour 

hibiscus just inside the door of the Palm House

palm .. 

we didn't go into the waterlily house after we came out - we could see it was busy - it closes next week so we may have to go early then

the start of the yoshino trees round the rose garden 

tulip tree at the corner of the Broad Walk 

last few red dahlias at the top of the Broad Walk 

there were more of the golden orange ones left 

this is the big tree by the side of the pond (well one of the big trees)

in the POW 

couldn't get a clear view of the waterlilies as the side of the pond was lined with people looking at the huge fish in the water 

large stag's head fern on the upper level as you leave the rain forest section

quick walk through the orchid rooms

some decaying mushrooms in the rock garden

alpine house form the top path through the rock garden 

this was really flat, but I liked the pattern the greyish  leaves made 

a little bit of blue sky again

me heading into the alpine house

the scilla is flowering, I love these 

snowdrops in the alpine house too 

the bulrushes by the waterlily pond are properly fluffy now! 

alpine house from the "fluffy" pond

bonsai house, japanese maples looking gorgeous 

strawflowers in the veg garden 

still looking good 

more fluff, from the cardoons 

mahonia in the evolution garden 

have to check on "phyllis)  Physalis

now looking more lantern like

there are always sticks in the way of my shots! 

I do love these small purpley blue flowers 

just a few echinacea 

and helenium left - still bees around too 

more cardoon, nice against the blue sky now

I decided at this point it was time to head home, Kim stayed a little longer 

as I walked past the Palm House I noticed that "my" fountain has already been removed - and is no doubt on it's way back to Windsor 

not sure in the plinth will be taken too or left for whatever Kew have in mind to replace Hercules with 

I shall miss it. 

I had wanted to make time for this beauty (chittamwood) at the entrance, having clocked the colours on the way in earlier

I took a couple on the phone too so you can see the whole tree (wasn't going to change lens)

it is such a beauty!

the one that overhangs the temple nearby, has lost it's leaves now.

thanks as always for looking see you next week -  in November!