What are these ? bug or some fungal infection ?

[srivastava]

This may have been in the garden for a while but never noticed (or noticeable). Today suddenly we see it at multiple places in flower garden.
Trying to understand is it just ant hills type thing, fungus or much bigger problem like bugs, eggs etc.

Any help in identification would be appreciated. we are in Massachusetts.

[rainbowgardener]

Some kind of fungus, like slime mold, dog vomit fungus (only named that because of the appearance, has nothing to do with actual dogs), etc. Many mushrooms and fungi love to grow on decaying wood/ wood chips. Harmless.