Are these eggs?!

[Parkanvas]

Hey everyone! Hoping someone may recognize these tiny balls that look like eggs . I’m cleaning up a weed infestation on one side of my pond and noticed these. I don’t want to disturb if they are indeed some sort of egg. For reference I’m in North Holland and temp is 60s/70s. Didn’t think eggs were being dropped this time of year. Maybe just slime balls?

Thanks for the help

 

[Mmathis]

I have no idea! Was going to suggest snails, but not thinking that after looking at all pictures. Now, if it was me, I would pull some out and see what kind of texture they have, it they squish, or move.....

 

[j.w]

It's weird that they are different sizes and color if those black things are them or are those rocks in that first picture?. Maybe some kind of fungus balls? I really don't know but would love to know if you find out anything. Let us know what they do if you leave them sit there. They look kind like the balls on the ends of those big kelp whips you find on the salt water beaches.

 

[Parkanvas]

It’s the black blobs and the smaller light green ones. I’ll leave them awhile longer and see what happens. Something about them creeps me out !

 

[Parkanvas]

After some research I’m thinking they are nostoc. First I’ve heard of it. Here’s some reference photos.

“Nostoc is a cyanobacterium. Cyanobacteria are like bacteria in that they are microscopic, single-celled organisms that contain no cell nucleus. Nostoc does not harm lawn or landscape plants. Instead, the organism is merely filling in space where grass or other plants will not grow, such as areas with compacted soil, excessive moisture, and high soil phosphorus levels. It may also form on wet concrete or gravel sidewalks, causing a slipping hazard if not managed.”

 

[WaterGardener]

We have that growing in our gravel driveway. It's definitely associated with wet conditions and seems to die back when it's dry. But it's right back after a rain. It is definitely slippery, as slick as ice, so we are very careful walking on it.

 

[Chucker's 50]

We also had that growing in our gravel driveway, I gave it a healthy shot of weed killer, seems to have taken care of it.

 

[Mmathis]

Well, that’s interesting! Thank you for the update!

 

[j.w]

By Jove I think you've got it! Good detective work!

 

[GBBUDD]

Those are pretty cool when they end up in clonies they are the largest single cell organism on the plant from what i have been told