The Storm has passed, leaving a enlarged lake on the desert. This was a heavier rain fall than normal. One of those, once every 12 year rainfalls. This is temporary. Soon, the shallows will be dry. The small watering hole will be back to size. The hard pan resists the water, but before long absorbs it. Seeds that have been buried and dormant will bloom, flower, make more seeds and die to start the cycle over again.. Insects and small creatures will make fast use of the water, if they want to complete their roles nature has given them. The desert toad has been entombed in his clay shell for 12 years waiting for this one rainfall. In less that one week he will mate, and die to so others can survive. Many creatures wait for just this one rainfall. To what purpose, for such a short life, I really don't know. It just is.