This remarkable cactus’s blossoms are enormous, heavily fragrant and only open for one night each. If I want to photograph it I need to be willing to stay up late because they fade by dawn. I appreciated it for awhile the first time it bloomed this summer and headed to bed a bit sad because I was too weary to give it the attention it deserved. I committed to capturing some photos of its second flush because that may be it for the year. I placed my trail camera with night vision in front of both bloomings hoping to catch a pollinator, but no luck with that so far, “just” a bobcat and some raccoons.

If you’re interested in growing this plant yourself, here’re some links to information on how to successfully cultivate it here and here.