Losing It's Tunas

This Santa Rita Prickly Pear cactus is finally losing the tunas (cactus figs). Each tuna (the Spanish word to describe them), grew where a flower bloomed earlier in the year.

I got a peek at Stanley, my squirrel friend, sneaking over the wall a day or two ago with one of them. They contain seeds, which when the tunas dry out, are excellent food for the local birds and critters, if they can get past the peel.

It is possible to carefully peel and use the tunas of prickly pears to make jams and juices...if you know how!!!