a post-Christmas walk at Kew

 I spent most of Christmas Day eating, it felt like so it was good to get out and about to visit Kew today - at least I know what day it is...

it was cold, although not frosty, but bright and sunny - again!  How delightful...

we went towards the lake in search of shadows

there were lots of geese on the grass on our way to the lake

flying into the lake as we arrived

the heron arrived too

I kept missing the feather ruffling again, 

this was the closest I got!

Bowie coming in to land on the water

we headed through the bamboo beds and along 

rhododendron dell 

sun through ferns 

and then across to the top of the lake again 

the shadows were fabulous here 

we went into the woodland area 

and through the children's log pile walk 

no sign of Goldie in the woodland but this robin sat for a photo, there were lots of tits but they flit in and out and won't pose 

the high clouds were scudding fast across the sky 

we walked past Queen Charlotte's cottage, no muntjacs this time, or fly agaric mushrooms - it's been dry and possibly too cold

the light through the leaves on this tree (which a few weeks ago were bright red and glorious)  was fabulous. 

as we walked on there was a great cacophony of birds  screeching 

when we reached the tree that we think looks like a bear with his arms in the air we saw 2 Egyptian geese on top of the "arms" and a third on the ground 

the crows follow us till Kim runs out of monkey nuts...

we were on the way to the cafe for a cuppa 

the berries against the sky looked lovely

we sat outside this week,  we'd both brought in treats to share!

when we came out of the loo a crow was seemingly finishing the cold froth from my hot chocolate, or looking for crumbs on the tray.... 

we headed tothe Temperate House 

and found a side door open 

in the main atrium we found a bit of colour 

and some pineapples in pots in one of the octagons 

off to the winter garden again 

where the witch hazel is coming out 

I knelt down on the pond bridge to take this through the barrier 

the sun had gone in sadly

but the dogwood is still fabulous

the lights along the Broad Walk against a cloud

looking back at the pond the trees look like they're black and white 

in the Princess of Wales conservatory

alpine house 

aloe in the rock garden - they put clear perspex covers over them to protect against the winter cold 

photographing a witch hazel 

back at the pond on the way to the exit

crouching down mainly for the sky

that was another beautiful walk - chilly but sunny, 

thanks for looking, there will be a bonus pre-New Year trip before I go back to work on Friday... not exactly sure when yet.