Susan, the seed pods will vary a little with different types bleeding heart. My native d. formosa is packed with full seed pods right now - absolutely no mistaking those or when they are ripe.

The ripeness of what most of us think of first when we hear bleeding heart is a little more subtile to the eye...

Here you go - photo of dicentra spectabilis with ripe seed (borrowed, not my own)

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:74239}}

Hello Morz8,
Well, a miracle - I have collected the right stuff!
Should I open the pods to dry the seeds or leave them in
the pods to dry and store?
Thanks for your help.
Susan

You need if you can let them dry on the plant. But watch out and don't let them split open and the seed fall on the grown

They look similar to the photo, so maybe some of what I picked are ready. The ones that looked anemic were left on the plant, so maybe there will be more. I'll keep an eye on them, now that I know what I'm looking for!
Thanks
Susan