Cactus graffiti

Cactus Graffiti. An old Opuntia that someone carved their love into. It appears to read: Nic & A.M. I hope their love lasts longer then that cactus pad will and is not nearly as prickly...

Prickly Pear

Prickly Pear, Mission Trails Park

Prickly Pear

Prickly Pear Fruit, Makapu'u, Oahu. Do you suppose these brightly colored fruit have something to do with how the Opuntia cacti received its common name, Prickly Pear?

Beavertail Cactus Flower (Opuntia) with yellow and black beetle. Found this Beavertail cactus blooming way back in Coyote Canyon in the Borrego Desert. The Beetle found it too!

Prickly Situation

Prickly Pear (Opuntia species) in the setting sun, Quail Botanical Gardens. If something needs this many thorns to keep from getting eaten, can you image what's eating it? Something has got one heck of a tough digestive system. I'm guessing goats and tortises but your guess is as good as mine. Wow, those are some thorns.

On the other hand, they sell de-thorned, pre-diced prickly pear in the stores here. It has a nice, tangy taste and a consistency kind of between zucchini and okra. Pretty tasty actually. They call it nopales. If I were a goat, and if I could get past the spines, prickly pear would be a wonderful meal!

Meanwhile, I'm fixing the sprinker system. Something seems to be leaking under the cement patio. Not fun. I'm moving the whole system to the other side of the house. So far not much to show but a copper ball valve shutoff and a singed finger. I'll spare you the details. Yech. No fun at all.