During our walks we often spot strange ball-like things hanging from trees. The look a lot like less-furry versions of Tribbles (from Star Trek).

 

At first I thought they were the spores from trees, but they are actually something called Ball Moss, and are often found attached to Oak, Cedar, and Elm trees.

As an added bonus, there is some bird (might be a grackle) that makes exactly the same sound as a pissed off Tribble (the screech they make when meeting a Klingon).

In addition to the Ball Moss, there are a number of oaks that have Spanish Moss hanging from them. In some places it’s quite dramatic: