After a life time of being fascinated by these seed pods of our native red maples, I have never been sure whether I liked them or hated them. The seeds always foiled the broom whisks which were never able to herd them 100%; or the leaf blower which added more chaos to any effort of spring tidiness.
I have decided now that “I love ’em” as they have a unique ability (unknown to me until now) that they capture and hold water at the base of their copter wings — even without the rain participating in loading this indiscreet reservoir of light!