Finally, at the end of March, the desert is in bloom. The locals say this is a great year, due to to the significant rain that fell in mid-January. It certainly is a rare treat for us New Englanders to see that cactus, of all varieties, develops such brilliant colors. Apparently the flowers will last two weeks or so and then, suddenly, all goes brown again as the desert plants tuck deep within themselves to endure the searing summer and fall.