Moving at the Speed of Spring

Spring in the desert.

Amazing. Beautiful. Surprising. Rapid.

The cactus is the most surprising.  For 364 days of the year it looks like this:

Hedgehog Cactus

A lovely species, but not particularly colorful or welcoming.  It seems quite self contained, requiring very little from its environment, however, it is carefully awaiting the opportunity to spring to life for just one day......well, more accurately, each flower lasts for the duration of the day.  Within in a day or two the cactus shuts down this beautiful, delicate magenta display for the year.  Often longer than a year if the climactic conditions haven't proved to be ideal.

It really didn't take much for me to figure out what the World wanted me to notice this time: when the conditions are right move fast.  Take advantage of the moment, don't hesitate and give it everything I've got.  Life never seems to offer us just one opportunity, but it may be a while before the next one rolls around.

Linking to:
Rambling Wood's weekly Nature Notes