Sunday, August 23, 2009

What is Fuzzy, Round, and Hangs from a Tree?

I frequently go on walks with my boys in the morning, especially now that the weather has cooled off a bit. I don't usually take my camera with me, and sometimes I find myself wishing that I had. One week I saw some strange fuzzy balls hanging off a tree that we passed beneath. I was so intrigued that I found myself returning another day with my camera specifically to photograph them.

What are these? Seeds, maybe?
Why have I never noticed them before?


Posted by at

15 comments:

  1. Liz {Learning To Juggle}August 23, 2009 at 9:12 PM

    It looks a lot like a chesnut. Do you have any pictures of the leaves/branches?

    does it look like this?
    http://www.vatacf.org/helpfiles/americanseedharvest.html

    http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2009/dorman_step/Life%20History.htm

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  2. DevriAugust 23, 2009 at 10:16 PM

    ok ok you are going to ban me from your blog for saying this, but I asked my husband what those were, and he said, balls of steel! his words not mine!

    I have seen them, but I don't know. sorry, I think they are pretty cool though!

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  3. EG CameraGirlAugust 24, 2009 at 6:06 AM

    So sorry I can't help you with what they are. Sure look interesting so I hope you find out!

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  4. B i r g i t t aAugust 24, 2009 at 7:39 AM

    That's the fantastic world with macro - you see things you couldn't see before - I love macro :) and your shot :)

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  5. AnonymousAugust 24, 2009 at 8:10 AM

    that's just what macro monday does for me. i see things and think, hmmm, where did that come from? great shot.

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  6. Sarah SullivanAugust 24, 2009 at 8:34 AM

    Hmmmm maybe nuts?? Seems like I have seen these before...Sycamores maybe??? Great shots whatever they are!!! Sarah

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  7. InventingLizAugust 24, 2009 at 9:50 AM

    I was going to guess chestnuts too. Nice shot!

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  8. Jennifer C. ValerieAugust 24, 2009 at 3:06 PM

    Stopped by to say hi. I wish I could tell you what those things are but I have no clue. I hope your weekend was great!

    Today I'm celebrating my 2nd Blogoversary with a giveaway of 2 gifts to 2 commenters on the giveaway post. It ends at midnight tonight. Come on over and enter. I'm looking forward to seeing your entry.

    Have a wonderful day!

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  9. Izzy, Emmy 'N AlexanderAugust 24, 2009 at 3:07 PM

    No idea what they are but the photos is fabulous! Great capture!

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  10. AnonymousAugust 24, 2009 at 6:02 PM

    Don't know the name of the tree but those little guys dry out and get very prickly as a child we called the sticker balls! They fall off the tree don't step on them it hurts!


    mine is here
    http://www.moorebloglife.com/2009/08/24/macro-monday-just-a-flower/

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  11. Melissa B.August 24, 2009 at 7:58 PM

    I was going to say, looks like a chestnut, but Liz already said that! Superior Snap, though. Thanks for sharing!

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  12. Clueless_MamaAugust 24, 2009 at 9:28 PM

    To me it looks like what ends up turning into gumballs. Or at least that's what we called them. They are brown and pokey???

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  13. JenAugust 24, 2009 at 11:03 PM

    I see them all over the place and have no idea what they are. Just today I learned that if you crumble it and dump it into someones shirt it acts like itching powder. Yikes!

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  14. NatalieAugust 29, 2009 at 7:37 PM

    in the south we call those sweet gum balls. at least that is how we say it...probably not how you spell it. they are found on a ... are you ready... sweet gum tree. :-) sorry, that is probably not enough help.

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  15. NatalieAugust 29, 2009 at 7:39 PM

    okay and if you are really a good southerner... you can peel a piece of bark off of the tree and chew on it like gum... thus the name.

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