Today is supposedly the last day of spring until winter returns. So I thought I’d take advantage of the beautiful weather and take a walk along the river. I noticed all of these cocoons on the branches of the bushes as I was walking along. At least I think they’re cocoons. Funny thing though . . . I only saw them on the east bank of the river. There were none on the west bank.
Maralee
P.S. I entered a photo in the 1859 Oregon Magazine photo contest and if you feel so inclined, I’d love to get your vote. I don’t normally like photo contests where people vote for the photos . . . it seems more like a popularity contest. That being said, I’d love the prize . . . a weekend away at Hood River. Lots of photo opportunities there. You can vote once a day and I think it ends on the 19th. Go to:
https://www.facebook.com/1859Oregon?sk=app_451684954848385&app_data
My photo is: Oregon Coast – Newport
Thanks for your support.
Through My Lens 
In a way, they are cocoons, but not technically. They appear to be galls, which can be caused by insects, parasites, or diseases. Whichever it is that attacks the plant, causes the plant to grow in the manner shown in your photos. These are a rather complex subject, Wikipedia has what looks to be a good article on them here. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gall
Thanks for the information. I’m always learning something through this blog.
Got your vote in. So far it looks good for you! I do wonder what these are as well. I know a praying mantis egg pack looks similar.
I’m confused. Today is the last day of spring? The first day of spring isn’t until March 20th. http://www.almanac.com/content/first-day-spring-vernal-equinox
Sorry – I was being a little facetious. We haven’t had any winter to speak of here. Temperatures have been in the 50’s for weeks and it seems more like spring than winter. So I’m thinking spring and winter may be switched around this year. We’ll probably get all of our cold and snow in March – May.
Okay, now I’m feeling silly. 🙂
Don’t feel silly. I didn’t explain myself very well. 🙂
Interesting things.. I’ve seen something similar here and never known what it is,, looked at the wiki site, very interesting…
They are pretty interesting. Now I know what they are. 🙂
Spooky galls.
Thanks, Mike. The are a little spooky looking.
Gorgeous series, Maralee 🙂
Thank you, Inga.
I see your first commenter told you that they are, indeed, galls. Most galls are a response from the plant to an insect. Some galls are nests. I’ve broken open a few in the forests of Texas that were full of little teeny tiny creepy crawly bugs.
Euwwwwww. Maybe I’ll have to break one open and see what’s inside. 🙂
Some occupants could also be slimy wormlike creatures. Just warning you………lol
I saw something similar about a year ago and posted some pictures but got no clues. In searching the internet, I decided that it might be a gall, but based on the commenters above, I now know! I had been following the development of a particular one for weeks when some idiot dumped a truckload of building materials on it. The park department cleaned it up within a few days, but they took the plant the gall was growing on with it so I didn’t get to see if any creepy crawly crawled out of it. Had forgotten about it until I saw your post.