MacBook Air creates alias when moving photo folder from Applications to Desktop

I mistakenly moved a folder containing photos into my Applications folder. When I try to move it back to the Desktop, it places an alias there instead of the folder. I am using a MacBook Air.

I have read a previous post, similar situation but with an application instead of a folder containing photos. The responses indicated the application folder couldn't be removed from Applications without creating issues. Is it possible if the folder is not an application?