The not quite ripe seedpods of common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca).

The general rule of thumb is that you shouldn't shoot photos like this in bright sunlight. But this is the exception, I suppose.

I've been watching this plant for several years how, and I always fail to get a decent photograph of it. Milkweeds are quite striking plants, and important to our native ecology. In this image, the bright sunlight accentuates the pointed outgrowths. I have no idea what purpose they serve, but they are fascinating.

Botanically, these are actually a follicle, not a pod. But I have called them "seedpods" for as long as I can remember.