Century Plant in Flower

On the lawn between "SeaStar" and the ocean there's a large agave or "century plant", whose flower stalk has been growing prodigiously over the last few months, and is now starting to bloom. They are reputed to take a 100 years to flower, though I think 30 is more typical. The flower is about 25 feet high and attracts swarms of insects, bats  and birds, including hummingbirds. After blooming the whole plants dies - indeed, it's already dying, as it pours all its stored energy into the immense flower.