Deer love Prickly Pear

We have a few deer that visited us almost on a daily basis. They were so bold as to get within fifteen feet of the house. These first photos show them by the driveway under one of their favorite trees. I call it one of their favorite trees due to the fact that most nights they sleep there.

I think they do this because they feel like the coyotes that roam yhe area stay mostly away from the houses.

The cactus produced a lot of fruit this year. The fruit is called prickly pear. When the fruit turns a dark purple it is ripe. This normally occurs in mid to late fall.

Even though the fruit has lots of needles, the deer will eat them anyway.

They have noticed me taking their photos and do not much like being disturbed especially when they are in the middle of a meal.

I have always said that nature provides for its own. The hot summer temperatures which caused a drought helped the cactus produce a bounty of fruit to provide moisture and nourishment to the wildlife.