5th October - RHS Wisley, Surrey

My cataract surgery went well and almost two weeks in I am climbing the walls.  So what to do, I can't use the camera or my binoculars until the end of the week, but I can go out and I can drive.  So on a stunningly beautiful October dau we decided to head back to the RHS gardens at Wisley.

After the obligatory arrival coffee we walked in through the main gates and were greeted by a stunning vista of Michaelmas Daisies.

Looking even more impressive close up.

Colours varied from pale blues and yellows to the deep oranges, but the colours that were so vivid and covered in bees were those at the purple end of the spectrum.

Just beyond the daisies was a pond, but this had dried up in the drought and you were left with a colourful Cherry Tree in the middle of green.

While the majority of the trees were still sporting green leaves there were a few starting to show autumn colours.  This Narrow-leaved Ash Tree stood proud in the middle of the lawns and it looked very healthy showing no signs of ash die back at all.

Here a large Maple starting to show the characteristic red leaves of autumn.

Michaelmas Daisies dominated the borders and beds, providing lots of colour, probably more than was seen during the summer.

Over the summer we have developed an interest in succulents and cacti and have managed to grow quite a few of these impressive plants.  As a result we spent some time in the Glasshouse with some impressive specimens.

This is a Golden Barrel Cactus, or Echinocadus to give it it's scientific name, I love the patterns these can create when bunched together.

And this the Agave, the cacti from which Tequila is made.  From this angle looking like something from 'Stranger Things'.

And Aloe from which we get the cooling and healing gel, Aloe Vera.

The surgery has been literally eye opening.  All my fears prior to the operation dispelled and after the first day of ever so bright lights my vision has settled down and I do not need to use glasses for most of my activities.  One thing most noticeable is the brightness.  I know we are have exceptional weather at present, but everything is so bright and the colours are so vivid.  I never appreciated how bad my eyesight actually was.

This new sensory experience was demonstrated superbly when we stopped by the Trials area and came across so many forms of Celosia Argentea, other wise known as Plumed Cockscomb, or Silver Cock's Comb.

These are a herbaceous plant of tropical origin from Africa.  The plant can be annuals or some perennial and they have to be in bright sunshine to thrive.  They are known for their bright colours and this was definitely on show here at Wisley.

The vivid colours can include shades of orange, red, purple, yellow and cream.  An interesting fact, the leaves and flowers are edible and are grown for such use particularly in west Africa and Southeast Asia. Celosia argentea var. argentea or "Lagos spinach" is one of the main boiled greens in West Africa, where it is known as soko yòkòtò (Yoruba) or farar áláyyafó

We were so lucky with the weather, the temperature very much like a normal summer's day.  Our weather this year has been bizarre.  So we sat and had an ice cream and enjoyed the afternoon sunshine highlighting the surrounding trees.

It was great to be able to get out and enjoy both the weather and the beautiful gardens at Wisley, one disappointment though was the lack of butterflies.  I only saw one and predictably that was a male Clouded Yellow!

All being well I will be back out birding by the end of this week.