Orchids, cacti, lemurs, chameleons and an emu at the Orchid Festival in Kew Gardens, 10th February 2024 - Part 1

After wandering around Kew Gardens looking at wildlife for a few hours in the morning on 10th February, I went to the Princess of Wales Conservatory in order to visit the Orchid Festival and see the wonderful orchids and other plants there. 

Hanging orchid near the entrance to the conservatory

Staggering display of cacti at the entrance

A family of lemurs were waiting to greet the visitors!

Pots containing beautiful orchids were placed amongst the normal plants in the conservatory

Lots of cacti and succulents with added orchids displayed here and there

Giant emu wearing a necklace of orchids!

Some of the exotic plants housed in the conservatory

Colourful chameleon 

Wonderful display of orchids in the pond area

plus a few more lemurs!

and a yak

Other flowers on display included a purple waterlily

Pitcher plant in a quiet annexe off the main part of the conservatory

Subtle colouring for this orchid

Not so subtle-colouring for a large chameleon!

There were several colourful chameleons keeping their eye on the orchids

I had a great time at the Orchid Festival and took so many photographs - Part 2 of my visit to follow!!

Wildlife walk round Kew Gardens on 10th February 2024

I haven't been to Kew Gardens for a long, long time, but was due to meet my sister there in order to visit the Orchid Festival on 10th February - so I arrived early and went for a wander around the gardens.  I had a very interesting walk and saw the following flowers, animals and birds.

Grass covered with Spring Crocus

Dad Fox with a Magpie

Three magnificent Mandarin drakes

Hybrid goose - Domestic/Canada cross

Young fox having a big yawn

and then looking very cute!

Someone was feeding the foxes with chicken drumsticks - this fox stopped eating in order to check me out!

It was good to see the Pussy Willow buds near the lake

Mute Swan swimming along the Thames in front of magnificent Syon House

I think that this is another view of the Domestic-Canada goose hybrid

Wood Pigeon strolling amongst the pale lilac Spring crocus

Redwing in damp grass

A Jay flew down from the branch of a tree

Snowdrops in bare earth

One of the many Jackdaws that live in the gardens

Great Tit on a tree branch

 

In the late afternoon I saw several green Rose-ringed Parakeets at the top of a tree that was covered with pink blossom

Late January visit to Battersea Park, London

Towards the end of January I went for a winter bird watching walk in Battersea Park, London

It was good to see a large group of Mandarin ducks on the lake - a few of which are shown below

Other wildlife on the lake - Common Pochard drake

Ice-skating Moorhen in the wind

Lots of Black-headed gulls were standing on the frozen lake

Leaping Great Crested Grebe

back in relaxed mode

A pair of Northern Shovelers had been feeding in a patch of water

They then decided to go for a walk on the ice

Grey Heron testing the ice with its large feet

The Mandarins were preening at the edge of the island after a day out on the lake

The park's solitary Mute Swan swam past of group of Black-headed gulls that were standing on the ice

Solitary male Tufted duck looking away from another drake with a female partner