Kew - the drought continues

 Still no rain, although the forecast hints at some next week (unless it changes)  It was however a little cooler today 

I headed for my opening shot whilst Kim went to the lake, we'd meet for free tea later!

the planting in the beds either end of the path along the pond at the Palm House has grown tall and hidden the large pot in the centre. 

the dahlias in  the Palm House parterre beds have been gorgeous this year in lots of colours 

petunias on the edge of the pond in their pots 

some of the dahlias are going over a little 

the tall planting hiding the pot at the other end of the pathway

I didn't check out the gorgeous dahlias last week

the light was good on them today

I walked along the Broad Walk 

they've obviously been minimising the watering, and things are starting to flatten over

the cardoon are really suffering hanging over the path, and several stems have been cut back completely

there were still a few allium seedheads left 

lots of flowers have finished early, these yellow daisy type flowers I am sure normally last later than this 

I turned off towards the Hive and took the path that winds up through the wildflower meadow - not many flowers this year, but plenty of wild carrot

this on the phone.  I decided against sitting on the very dusty glass platform to enjoy the atmosphere (though the sound from the beehive wasn't on yet so it was quiet still)  

if you come down from the Hive using the steps (rather than the slope I went up via)  you get a good view across to  the Carbon Garden

walking round to it, there is still lots of colour from the rudbeckia and helenium

I put the other lens on 

light catching the top of the "mushroom"

by now I had the macro back on so couldn't get as wide angle views.

but I was enjoying shooting through the base of the mushroom

this beauty is at the entrance to the Duke's garden and I've been admiring it from the other end of the path for a couple of weeks 

it's called Largerstroemia 

it is such a fabulous colour. 

I don't know what this is though

 rudbeckia along the edge of the grass garden

tree shadows on the shading of the alpine house 

round the corner into the vegetable garden,  for the sunflowers 

lots of pumpkins and squashes as usual 

the sun through the petals was beautiful 

the unusual dwarf "fluffy" ones are still good, though starting to go over

some of the strawflowers are also going to seed

dahlia

a lot of my favourite section of the evolution garden is fading but there is still something to admire

even in seed form of the achillea

I was trying and failing to get both the flowers and the statue in focus.. 

so took one closer up on his own!

I do like the asters with water drops but there haven't been any for weeks!  

there were bees swarming all over the fennel 

but they were fast! 

Leaf Sprite in the sun

the tree outside the POW does always turn colour early - but this is early!   it's been turning for a few weeks now

as I walked back towards the Palm House I noticed a huge tree that has lost a large branch

it looks a very fresh wound and there was signs of sawdust on the earth still from where it had been tidied up

I changed lens to show the size better 

poor tree!  

walking back past the Henry at the pond

parterre bedding in close up

decoration on one of the urns along the pond

palms in the big middle parterre beds

I decided to sit and start my free tea before Kim joined me 

didn't fancy an (overpriced) pastry today and there wasn't a lot else on offer. 

after we'd both finished we headed back to the Henry this end of the Palm House

taken over the pond towards the Broad Walk 

then past the Henry

and the now open Palm House - but neither of us wanted to venture inside 

shadows on the parched grass 

tree canopy

you may need to enlarge this.  a huge flock of green parakeets flew overhead and circled round over us. 

back at the lake, the mallard ducklings were still there 

they were in and out of the water for food!

swimming through the algae

I didn't really have the right lens on for such closeups

the  swans were hiding by the island under the overhanging greenery

at the lake crossing 

but we stayed on the right hand side as we continued our walk

lake through the trees 

I managed to keep my sunglasses intact this time 

heading for the woodland 

stopping for a water break on the hoof!

at the woodland, Goldie graced us with his presence 

we sat and chatted to Peter for a while, 

but I was getting a numb bum so around 12 I headed off 

walking through the Temperate House on my way back to the exit 

some great shadows 

I exited from a side door and came down the steps and round past another Henry

crossing the grass to another one

this is one of my early favourites that I've not seen for a while!  

and headed back along the path to the exit

stopping for the tallest Henry near the Victoria gate

where on my way out I stopped briefly to take the pots at the entrance

That's it for today, thanks for looking as always.

Today's post is dedicated to my Dad whose birthday it would have been today and to whom I owe my love of photograph.  

Happy 106th birthday, Dad!