Kew - getting ready for Christmas

 This week's trip to Kew started cloudy

but with hints of blue sky

Kew at Christmas the annual light event starts on the 14th and there has been lots installed since last week

the pond in front of the Palm House looks to be filled with "waterlillies"  - the ones this side haven't been fully unwrapped yet

there is also a bridge across the pond, but whether visitors will walk across it or it will just be for part of the display, I have no idea 

the reflections were good 

headed round behind the Palm House to the rose garden  - more bits of lights here 

some of the paths off the rose garden were closed to allow the installations to be worked on so it was a case of finding a way to the lake

these were behind hoardings but there was a gap for a sneak peak!

the sun was doing it's best to shine and was illuminating the trees nicely

in the foreground are the reeds at the edge of the lake the trees are down at the crossing

the renewed Lockerbie bench

the lake was looking good 

as we approached, several crows followed us - waiting for Kim to get the monkey nuts out!

within seconds of our ariving at the bench the heron was there 

I love the expression as he stares front on..

sat on the bench 

just caught the heron ruffling up his feathers

trees on the island

goose having a good splash bath in the lake 

across the lake, great reflections 

crossing the lake,

one of the resident foxes out for a stroll 

far end of the lake

looking back to the bench, the fox strolled past 

the colours round the lake were fabulous

there were lots of birds flying round over and round in circles 

reflections of the trees by the bench

gull landing!

on the island the other side of the crossing 

looking back at the crossing 

I love this tree!

we headed through the kids log walk looking for funghi

these were little, at the entrance 

log carved into a snake

there were quite a few at the sides 

then it was through the woodland 

where the colours were good

shame about the lady with bright white jeans heading towards us....

the leaves were falling from the trees, softly, it felt like watching the poppies falling from the Albert Hall at the Remembrance service ; it was still and peaceful (apart from the planes on the way to Heathrow!)

at Queen Charlotte's Cottage

we were lucky enough to find fly agaric again 

just 2 today

crouching down in the damp grass for this one 

trying not to fall over 

heading back through the trees 

and the ferns 

to the path that leads one way to the lake and one to the Pagoda

incoming crow looking for Kim and the monkey nuts...

on our way to the Pavilion cafe for food and drink!

sidetracked by colour 

gorgeous!

we came to some trees decorated with stars 

line of trees leading down to the Temperate House

sitting outside..hot chocolate, and a very expensive brownie - they know how to charge...  £5.50 ....

 it was nice though 

then it was through the Temperate house

Love the shadows Kim caught 

trumpet vine

Imperial Lemon - it was the size of a pomegranite!

outside, along Cherry Walk

berries on Myrtle bush  (Mediterranean garden )

further along through the Mediterranean garden 

on the way back towards the palm house we saw this display laying in the grass that someone had made from leaves 

I was still on the macro lens so couldn't get it all in 

looking up through the leaves

having a good scuffle through the leaves on the ground 

back at the Palm House, opposite end to earlier, another set of lights 

still quite a few blooms on some of the roses 

had a closer look at the lights on the pond  by the bridge 

in the now bright sunshine they looked fabulous

lights along the Broad Walk 

heading across to the Princess of Wales 

agave

liked the angle of the leaves on this one

small pads on the waterlilies in the tropical room 

berries 

in the far end where they've been redeveloping it, it is very often being misted with water as we walk though... it was like fog today!  

gorgeous bark 

this is the massive wisteria tree 

in front of the hive, fabulous colour (smoke tree)

still some flowers in the Carbon Garden - we hadn't been to visit it for a while 

the top of the mushroom looks a completely different colour to last time I was here 

the light trail is obviously going to come this way 

the mushroom was looking fabulous as ever 

I changed lens to get it all in shot

 

then round to the grass garden 

alpine house - didn't go in this week 

double helix of the DNA structure, seemed appropriate to photograph it today following the death yesterday of one of the co-discoverers of DNA

the fluffy bullrushes are still going strong by the outside waterlily ponds (now empty) 

path through the evolution garden  - loved the shadows

the roses are just leaves now although some have hips on 

vine along the veg garden border 

strawflowers 

porcelain berries in the evolution garden are a lot later that at the cafe where they've finished 

physalis - looking good in the sun

just a few helenium left in the EG but gorgeous sunlit ones today

and one echinacea 

cardoons 

sunlit trees at the end of the EG as we headed back tothe Palm House and the exit

up into a fir tree 

and the pond from this side,looking at the palm house 

Kim  it's not on the wonk! 

from the phone, the light was heavenly and so are the reflections.

I look another one without the beginnings of the viewing platform for the light display

and to finish, the colour on the top of this tree - it's lost most of the gorgeous yellow leaves at the lower branches since last week but the top was beautiful

thanks so much for looking.  Judging by the forecast, you'll need a waterproof coat and umbrella next week!