Prickly Pear Cactus Fruits

The beautiful yellow blossoms of the prickly pear plant have turned into these lovely red fruits. This year they seem to be very abundant and are really a pretty sight. The red and green combination reminds me that Christmas will soon be here, but I am sure that is only my impression. The other inhabitants of Habitat Home view these fruits as food. Various birds, squirrels, ground squirrels and even deer will browse the fruit. Even humans gather the fruit which can be cooked in a pot of boiling water, mashed and then the juice used in various recipes of jelly, jams and candy making. Christmas Candy!