There are a group of fungi that are referred to as rust and they require alternate hosts in order to survive. Pictures are of Apple cedar rust Gymnosporangium juniperivirginianae that is a fungus who’s life cycle is between Juniperus virginiana (upright junipers) and apples and crab apples. The fungus spores come into contact with juniper twigs and awls (needles) and forms a gall on the juniper.(picture 1)
It usually will develop in the fall and in the spring around 18 months later, when mature, these galls swell considerably and repeatedly produce orange, gelatinous telial horns during rainy spring weather and releases its’ spores (picture 2)
The spores are carried by the wind onto apple leaves which develop into yellow blotches on the leaves, fruit or twigs during the summer and later in the season it spores are released where it re-infects the juniper and the cycle continues.
It does not kill either of its’ host, but can do harm especially on stressed plants.
I know on one hand it is bad, but it does exist, and apples and crab apples are going to grow near junipers in their range and on some levels it is pretty cool, certainly unusual.
antilandscaper 
Another reminder that Mother Nature truly is in charge. 🙂
We have many calls on this at the county extension office in the Spring. Great pics.
Although devastating nuisance to the fruits and trees, isolated … they provide interesting shots!
Fascinating! Sounds (and looks) like science fiction!
They look like works of art 😀
I wish I’d checked your blog last night. I didn’t take a photo of a fungus outside my back door that I hope will be there tomorrow, Your pictures are really quite amazing
Though they can often signal disease and/or decay, given that those distinguish the preferred support media of fungi of all sorts, fungi really are interesting, weird, beautiful and, in the case of non-toxic sorts, delicious! And it still astounds me to think that this is the life form that probably has the largest representative on earth—one *single* organism underpinning thousands of acres of land. How amazing and cool is that! 🙂 Great photos and information here!
This is very interesting. I might have seen one of the fungus ‘flowers’ last spring and remember being so baffled by it.
Thank you for this, it was fascinating!
so amazing…
Love your poem, and the artistry of this bee hive is simply an amazing piece of work. Your pictures are fantastic. Thanks for sharing with all of us.
How interesting! I always learn a lot from your blog, and love your fotos – especially your close-ups.
Hi theantilandscaper. They look like alien life forms! Thank you so much for liking my poem ‘ Spiritual Frauds!’ The Foureyed Poet.
Interesting blog which I am exploring now. Wanted to thank you so much for all the likes and the follow. Much appreciated. Namaste, Ellen