Late August, the Prickly Pear cactus is full of fruit here in Phoenix, Arizona. These dark red fruits are used for coloring drinks and making prickly pear syrup, candies, and jellies. The javelina eats the pads of the prickly pear, thorns, and all, while we humans call them Nopales and only eat them while they are young and have been de-thorned. Driving through Phoenix, you will see these cacti throughout the area.