Kew - another lovely day

 The weather surprised us today, it was forecast drizzly if not raining.  Instead there was blue skies and sunshine! 

it wasn't even particularly cold

Kim was back so there are some candids again!

first stop was the lake, where the gulls were flying around 

no sooner had we sat on the bench than the heron turned up

I suddenly noticed on the grass behind us a smaller heron - this one noticed too, and flew off to chase the other away (it retreated a bit, but not far)

sadly I was too slow with the camera...

there were some very noisy Egyptian geese swimming towards the side of the lake 

the larger  heron was back in position too

The geese got out of the lake and that's when I saw behind them....

six babies!

sooo!! cute - but they did blend in with the muddy ground a bit too well! 

they brought them over to see us - it seemed very deliberately,  and then took them back into the water and swam back to the other side of the lake!

I really hope they survive and don't get picked off by gulls (or the heron) 

I'll keep you posted...

blogger is being a pain this week and messing my order....

there was a lot of chasing around in the water by the ducks

the heron watched patiently..

and the gulls were flying around fast too, swooping towards us 

got some photos of the smaller heron 

he hasn't developed his full impressive feathers yet

used the long zoom so as not to disturb him but he seems fairly tame like the other one

there was a row of gulls on the lake crossing 

the sun was coming out now and there were some nice reflections 

we headed up the side of the lake towards the woodland

wee were hoping to see the swans but there was no sign of them 

blossom coming out though 

more reflections 

I'd put my hat on at the bench, not because it was particularly cold, but there were LOTS of pigeons around...... damage limitation for poop.   been caught too many times here!

as we reached the far end of the lake, we came across a smallish tree that had toppled  - it had very shallow roots and I guess the rain - there has been lots of it - had done for it.

it can't have happened long ago  - overnight probably - or the "tree gang" would have moved it - it was hanging over the path 

the sun was creating shadows from the trees 

as we headed up the slope and towards the woodland, 

I noticed some children crouching down 

they were looking at this close by us, a muntjac deer 

he didn't want to hang around and trotted off 

you can see him by the tree trunk as he headed up past the end of the lake.

I wonder if it's the same one Kim and I saw a few weeks ago,  probably. 

the sky was really quite blue now 

we walked through some very wet grass toward the woodland 

there were lots of blue tits and great tits, we saw one robin but didn't hang around for a photo unusually,  and no sign of Goldie today (well not whilst we were there)

we carried on to the path that leads through the woodland towards Queen Charlotte's Cottage.

there were lots of snowdrops 

another fallen tree, but not a recent one I think 

they are often left to create habitats for wildlife

it was very muddy along the path so I had to be careful crouching down for closeups!

we carried on through the trees 

and headed back along the path to get our drinks

the wide patch of crocus by the Pavilion cafe was looking better - flowers more open 

we sat outside - it was really sunny now 

before walking through the Temperate House

 

these were high about my head 

I was taking "arty " shots 

of fronds... 

the large tubs of daffodils in the main doorway were looking - and smelling - divine 

carried on through the Temperate House 

you could smell the jasmine before you got to it 

outside and heading for the winter garden and some colour!

in the sky too!

the dogwood is stunning this year 

lots of hellebores

lots of snowdrops at the base of trees along the path that leads into the winter garden 

winding our way along the path up the winter garden 

it's always best when the sun shines for the witch hazel 

striking silver birch trees 

more witch hazel

not sure what the bright lime green plants are under the dogwood on the way through the winter garden, but they really make it pop 

more spring colour (except the yellow is called winter aconite....) 

walking along camellia walk now 

dangling stems of the lime trees 

back at the palm house pond 

beautiful reflections 

there's been lots of rain!!!  

one of the urns along the edge of the pond. (some of them were empty, they seem to have plugs tin some)  

I turned round just as Kim was taking this.... no need for the umbrella in the side of the rucksack!

the spring bedding is coming into flower in front of the palm house

the little Kew train went past us and round in front of the Palm House

I've never been on it as I prefer to go at my own pace but they do tell you a lot about Kew on your way round and you can get on and off along the way at various stops

the side of the Hive

the carbon garden 

walking under the mushroom 

then round toward the grass garden and the alpine house 

there was a bit more cloud now but still sunny - though this photo doesn't look it

but closer up you can see the sun on the grass 

I still say it looks like Darth Vader 

I didn't bother putting the macro lens back on 

the paperwhite narcissus were still glorious 

outside the alpine house, the pond in the rock garden

back at the end of the evolution garden,  this bark is beautiful 

and then the palm house from the other side of the pond before heading home.

thanks for looking once again.

Next week, it's the start of the 2026 Orchid Festival.  featuring China this year. 

see you then!!