The erect pods are the fruits of butterfly milkweed. When they mature they open naturally (dehiscence). The seeds are primarily dispersed by wind. Some pods in the photo have opened and seeds are visible as white fluffy stuff! ("Asclepias tuberosa", Apocynaceae).
Blue flag iris ("Iris versicolor", family Iridaceae).
After pollination the petals drop off and the sepals and stamens persist a bit longer. The flowers are in the process of developing into fruits ("Rosa carolina", family Rosaceae).
