All along bodies of water in Florida, and Southern Georgia, you see these odd looking trees, with what looks like a grey beard hanging from the branches.  The effect is actually created by two plants growing together; a host tree and Spanish moss which creates the grey beard.

While I have seen examples of this moss before, this was by far one of the most beautiful. The tree is along a lake in Winter Park Florida.   We were on a boat looking toward the shore when I snapped this photo.

Our tour guide was full of fun facts about the moss; like the fact that it doesn’t really have roots, and was once used to stuff mattresses and card seats.  Most of all I just admired how truly beautiful these trees were.