Kew in the sun again

 A chillier day but still gloriously sunny today.  

Kim headed to the lake whilst I took my usual opener

I decided to walk through the emptying Palm House first

the sun was blinding through the windows

when I had decanted things into my smaller bag today I had forgotten the lens cloth to wipe the mist off... luckily I had a t-shirt under my jumper that did the job 

the world's oldest pot plant at the end of the Palm House... this one will be a challenge to move for the renovation!

before heading to the lake, i went to the big trees near the entrance so I didn't forget on the way home again. 

the sun was right behind the big Chittamwood, 

It is really lovely to see changing colours of trees behind the Henry's - they look so different

the sun was twinkling through the tree over this Henry

nearing the lake now

there were lots of birds there, including the heron 

still only carrying the short zoom.  

I crouched down to get the tree the other side of the lake crossing in the water as a backdrop to the birds

the heron is very happy around people, but did keep spitting at the swans 

there was a lot of splashing and chasing around in the water

because I didn't have the longer zoom or the macro lens to get closer to the birds I left the others at the lake and went for a walk across the lake crossing 

a small cloud in the otherwise blue sky

shadow selfie time! 

at the other side of the lake I stopped for a fabulous reflection 

the light through these leaves was lovely, and the colour (through my sunglasses!) was staggeringly beautiful!

I headed to the Treetop Walkway

and took the lift up to the top;  not been up for along time 

the sun as you can see, was very bright!  

but there were great views across London 

there were people up there as well but I was able to avoid them

the stairs and the lift 

back down on the ground 

as I approached the Temperate House I could hear geese above me... 

they circled overhead twice then headed for the lake!

I went into the Temperate House

was lucky to get this without any people

great light 

coming out of the Temperate House 

I decided it was time for a drink so messaged Kim and made my way to the Pavilion restaurant

we always think they should have made a roof terrace to sit out on 

one of the Henry's in front of the Temperate House

the trees close to the Pavilion are fabulous

I'd brought my own snacks again 

the porcelain berries around the Pavilion aren't ripening to their normal gorgeous colours yet but I spotted these berries 

palms in the temperate house

passionflower 

Kim headed the other way after we left the TH to go in search of fly agaric mushrooms at Queen Charlotte's cottage 

but I headed up the steps towards the Mediterranean garden 

these are growing out of a gap in the steps

must have stepped over them many times but don't remember ever seeing them before!

the cherry trees are turning colour

back towards Hill Arches Henry....

the sun having moved round created for a different perspective

back at the top of the Broad Walk,  again this tree looked even more fabulous through my sunglasses, much redder!

the liquidamber tree down the Broad Walk 

the group of Henry's as I turned off the Broad Walk 

Hive

Carbon Garden 

most of the flowers have finished, 

the agave outside the alpine house,  still not flowering but keeping an eye on it just in case it does before winter

alpine house

quick walk through the Princess of Wales conservatory

quick walk through the vegetable garden to look at the companion flower planting - wanted to get the strawflowers but needed the macro lens 

evolution garden  -  physalis starting to "skeletonise" 

more of these lovely little blue-purple daisy things 

black walnut tree 

heading to the exit past the pond at the Palm House

once again as always thanks for looking. 

see you next week - although the forecast is not for sun like this, currently.  Hope it changes by Saturday!