Shine the Divine:

Creativity IS a Spiritual Practice

When we see through our hearts, we recognize that every single one of us is infused with creativity. Divine Sparks are embedded in everyone and everything. It's up to us to be courageous, to look and listen deeply, to find the sparks, gather and release them back into the universe, transformed into something new. Join me as we wake up to the sacred-ordinary blessings waiting to greet us each and every day.

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Sunday, May 17, 2015

I Heart Macro 103













Months of watching the courtship, nest building, nurturing, teaching; the cardinals are gone. There was a brief storm, the next day a lot of "cheap-ing" and a young bird  at the top of the bush, mouth open, begging for food. I thought it was one of theirs, although it didn't really make sense, as I had already seen the fledglings darting in and out of the nest for over a week. The next morning they were gone. I couldn't find the baby, that was likely brown headed cowbird, whose mother dropped it in the nest too late. This evening a hawk swooped down into the bush. I suspect it found the baby bird left behind. I miss the cardinals, I feel sad about that little bird, but it couldn't survive on its own, and may have already been dead or close to it. A hawk has to eat too.




there was nurturing
life death now empty nest and
violets remain

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Welcome to Week 103
I Heart Macro
"Pure awareness transcends thinking... It allows you to look at the world once again with open eyes. And when you do so, a sense of wonder and quiet contentment begins to reappear in your life."~Mark Williams and Danny Pennman, from Mindfulness An Eight-Week Plan For Finding Peace In A Frantic World

It is time for YOU to share the love up-close with YOUR
I Heart Macro offerings!



Enjoy slowing down with your camera, paying full attention, observing beauty and curiosities many people pass right by. Your generosity of spirit and keen eyes may open the door to miniscule miracles and mirth others would not have access to otherwise. Feel free to include poetry, prose and thoughts your macro photo or series inspire(s) in you. Writing is completely optional for participation. Straight out of the camera (SOC), edited, color, black and white, anything goes as long as you bring the viewer near to whatever it is that drew your heart's attention and "woke you up" to full presence.
Shine the Divine

Please link back to my blog either by copying and pasting the button provided above on your post, or by linking the words "I Heart Macro" back to my blog with this link:

shinethedivinecreativityisaspiritualpractice.com.

By sharing the link, visitors to your blog will learn about this meme and have a chance to participate as well if they so choose. 

Visit each other...


S  p  r  e  a  d  the  LOVE. Thanks :-)

linking to:
nature notes
makro montag
macro monday 2
skywatchfriday
our world tuesday
at 8:40 PM
Labels:
Posted by Laura

80 comments:

  1. Minoru SaitoMay 17, 2015 at 9:07 PM

    Hi! Nice violet and cardinal photos. They are very beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

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  2. DeniseinVAMay 17, 2015 at 10:27 PM

    Sad to hear about the little bird, nature's way can be hard to see at times. Your photos, however, are stunningly beautiful Laura. I wish you a very happy week.

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  3. Stephanie VolkertMay 17, 2015 at 10:38 PM

    I love the bird shots!

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  4. AnonymousMay 17, 2015 at 11:06 PM

    What precious shots of the cardinal and those gorgeous flowers. Wishing you a great week.

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  5. Vandana SharmaMay 18, 2015 at 12:13 AM

    Colours are here!!! lets paint our lives.

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  6. GattinaMay 18, 2015 at 1:09 AM

    Beautiful macro flower !

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  7. Kirstin WrageMay 18, 2015 at 1:18 AM

    So amazing macros <3
    Dearest, Kirstin

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  8. facile et beau - GustaMay 18, 2015 at 1:46 AM

    Lovley shots of the violas and birds.

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  9. AlettaMay 18, 2015 at 2:01 AM

    Great macros of the flowers!

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  10. Frauke { it's me! }May 18, 2015 at 2:11 AM

    Such a colorful post, dear Laura!
    Have a nice week ... Frauke

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  11. AnonymousMay 18, 2015 at 4:40 AM

    Your 6th photo is my favorite - so dainty:) Sad about the baby bird:(

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  12. BirgittaMay 18, 2015 at 4:54 AM

    Wonderful shots!

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  13. Marion KMay 18, 2015 at 5:06 AM

    Beautiful photos !! We don`t know these birds in Germany.
    Have a nice week
    Marion

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  14. HannahMay 18, 2015 at 6:26 AM

    I love the cardinal photos, such pretty birds, I miss seeing them. How great to watch them raise their young. I like your violets, too, the bee guide patterns are so complex and make me think of ink drawings.

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  15. JudithMay 18, 2015 at 7:12 AM

    Beautiful flower pictures, Laura!

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  16. Tamara ZauberpalmeMay 18, 2015 at 8:16 AM

    This is a woderful collection of pics. Thank you very much for hosting. Have a good start.

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  17. PatMay 18, 2015 at 8:31 AM

    Lovely violets.

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  18. Donna@Gardens Eye ViewMay 18, 2015 at 8:43 AM

    Laura another stunning post...I adore violets and how wonderful that you had cardinals nesting nearby....our pair has been absent since the nest was build well behind us in the woods. I miss seeing them under the suet, but I hear papa daily singing.

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  19. Nick VaMay 18, 2015 at 8:43 AM

    Lovely images, Laura, as always! Thanks for hosting.

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  20. kissed by an angelMay 18, 2015 at 9:57 AM

    Oh Laura,
    Your pictures of the violets and the cute cardinals are so beautiful, but
    how sad for you and the little bird family...I know the feelings for such a little being....I also would be very sad if my doves would go away...I hope your cardinals will come back someday...
    All has its own time...
    Nevertheless have a good time and enjoy a wonderful week, full of love and light!
    Katrin

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  21. Köhn DorisMay 18, 2015 at 10:15 AM

    The bird is my favorite picture.
    Doris

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  22. rumaMay 18, 2015 at 10:18 AM

    Hello. Your works is Superb.
    Greetings from Japan. ruma

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  23. MinkamoMay 18, 2015 at 10:38 AM

    A great collection of photos, Laura! Thanks and have a good week.

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  24. abriannaMay 18, 2015 at 2:22 PM

    Lovely violets and birds. We have 2 pairs of cardinals that hang around here-so much fun to watch them.

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  25. AnonymousMay 18, 2015 at 3:42 PM

    Hello,
    right thanks, I have your photos even admired.
    Kind regards Eva

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  26. eileeninmdMay 18, 2015 at 3:46 PM

    Hello Laura, I love your beautiful cardinals and the lovely flowers. Gorgeous images. Have a happy day and week ahead!

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  27. AngelaMay 18, 2015 at 3:46 PM

    Such sweet little flowers!

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  28. Lee@A Guide to Northeastern GardeningMay 18, 2015 at 3:51 PM

    Laura-your captures of the cardinals are beautiful and so are the blooms. Thanks for hosting!

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  29. HOOTIN ANNIMay 18, 2015 at 4:30 PM

    Violets and Cardinals...can't get much better than that!!

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  30. DougPhoto2009May 18, 2015 at 6:48 PM

    White violet - very pretty. Cardinals - really pop. Thanks for sharing.

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  31. ValerieMay 18, 2015 at 7:15 PM

    A delightful, vibrant series of shots Laura. Love the Cardinals!

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  32. Amy FranksMay 18, 2015 at 8:23 PM

    love the flowers, so unusual :-)

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  33. RajeshMay 18, 2015 at 10:59 PM

    Beautiful macros of the flowers.

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  34. Sara D.B.May 19, 2015 at 2:27 AM

    Hello, Laura! Your photos are wonderful.
    Thank you for inviting me to participate in I Heart Macro. I need to work much on taking macro photos and/or to get a macro lens. Already from the thumbnails one can see there are links to lovely macro photos here.
    See you soon!

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  35. petrajanssen ♥ goldenfairycottageMay 19, 2015 at 3:51 AM

    I'm in love with the birds: ♥
    ... and the blue-flowered-heart in the first pic!

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  36. fabolMay 19, 2015 at 4:29 AM

    Dear Laura,

    your comment reminded me to take a looke at your site again - thank you! Your photos are so full of sensitivity. I love the little fuzz in the center of the viola blossom and thatyour bird has the same kind of fuzz on it's head :)
    Finding babybirds that fell out of their nest always makes me very sad. When I was a child I often tried to save them and feed them. But most of the time they were hurt or much too small for me to care about them. Maybe a ornitologist could... But you are right - other animals have to eat too. That's the way nature is.
    Kind regards,
    Attila

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  37. Susi ZaunwickeMay 19, 2015 at 4:49 AM

    Too bad about the little birds, sometimes we see life from the wrong (human) perspective?
    Very beautiful photos!
    LG Heidi

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  38. Leovi - La Fotografía Efectista AbstractaMay 19, 2015 at 7:33 AM

    Exquisite composition! Wonderful colors, I love these beautiful flowers macros !!

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  39. Myrna R.May 19, 2015 at 12:18 PM

    The pictures are wonderful Laura. Your story is a sad reality of nature, which your haiku captures perfectly. Hope you are well.

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  40. JohnMay 19, 2015 at 12:49 PM

    Wonderful images Laura, and nature is nature, beautiful but beautifully sad at times. Thanks for sharing.

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  41. Rambling WoodsMay 19, 2015 at 6:32 PM

    Beautiful blooms and birds... I don't see as many cardinals as I would like and they are frequent targets of cowbirds. but the cowbird eggs usually hatch faster than the other birds and get a head-start on the food many times causing the other nestlings to starve....but to watch and then know disaster is difficult..Michelle

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  42. LoisMay 19, 2015 at 6:59 PM

    Lovely pictures and the story about the bird makes me sad too. I have had very few birds in my backyard this spring because of a pair of red shouldered hawks nesting nearby. I know it is the circle of life.

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  43. AnonymousMay 19, 2015 at 10:17 PM

    I just love the violets, and then I get to the cardinals! Beautiful photos.

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  44. Alexa TMay 20, 2015 at 9:05 AM

    Nature is amazing, for sure and the blooms are fragile and delicate, the sky with clouds is stunning!! A very perfect way to see nature in perfect light and colors! All the best for you and warm greetings, as well!

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  45. NatureFootstepMay 20, 2015 at 5:01 PM

    lovely signs of spring :)

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  46. aspiritofsimplicityMay 20, 2015 at 5:03 PM

    Violets were my grandmother's favorite flower. "who bends a knee where violets grow, a hundred secret things shall know"

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  47. TexWisGirlMay 20, 2015 at 5:39 PM

    yes, the hawk has to eat as well, and perhaps it was a better end to the too-small cowbird rather than starving to death. love the violets! miss those blooms! and the cardinals made me smile.

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  48. Stacy @ Sweethearts + Sweet TartsMay 20, 2015 at 6:21 PM

    Your cardinal photos are so pretty and I love to see them in their natural setting. Hawks are crazy... they catch birds in mid flight all around the house here and it snows feathers. Your macro photos are really pretty. I'll think of your link up if I ever get some great ones.

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  49. BrittaMay 21, 2015 at 1:09 AM

    So beautiful photos, Laura!
    I like all! :o)
    Have a lucky week!
    Britta

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  50. IrmaMay 21, 2015 at 3:23 AM

    Beautiful pictures of flowers and the birds.
    Perfect photographed, my compliments.

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  51. EG CameraGirlMay 21, 2015 at 8:14 AM

    Beautiful photos of the violets!

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  52. Marie CMay 21, 2015 at 10:58 AM

    Such a sad story about the baby cowbird! I hate that it didn't make it. You have some beautiful macro shots of the cardinals and also the violets. Just stunning!

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  53. Adam JonesMay 21, 2015 at 11:24 AM

    Really wonderful images.

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  54. Sylvia KMay 21, 2015 at 5:25 PM

    Beautiful flowers and skies and terrific captures, Laura!! Hope you have a lovely weekend!!

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  55. JimMay 21, 2015 at 7:05 PM

    Terrific skies.

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  56. carol l mckennaMay 21, 2015 at 8:14 PM

    Magnificent sky shots and love the shots of the cardinal!

    Happy Weekend to you,
    artmusedog and carol

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  57. JaneMay 21, 2015 at 8:44 PM

    The violets are gorgeous close up! I like to eat them in the spring along with some of the new green leaves in salads. Thanks for visiting my blog!

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  58. lina@women perspectiveMay 22, 2015 at 12:13 AM

    Wonderful post and shots, Laura.
    Thanks for dropping by, happy weekend.

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  59. Spare Parts and PicsMay 22, 2015 at 12:36 AM

    Beautiful collection of photos!

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  60. Leovi - La Fotografía Efectista AbstractaMay 22, 2015 at 3:13 AM

    Very nice photos, good catches, wonderful bird !!

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  61. bettyl-NZMay 22, 2015 at 3:14 AM

    Spring arrives with so much wonderful color and activity. As usual, your photos are amazing!

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  62. amo sin bloggMay 22, 2015 at 3:57 AM

    Lovely pictures !

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  63. NishaMay 22, 2015 at 4:20 AM

    Beautiful macro shots! And the B&W one is giving a different perception.

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  64. Jan K. alias AfanjaMay 22, 2015 at 4:34 AM

    What a wonderful collection of flowers, and really love that charming bird. Thanks for sharing and enjoy your weekend!

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  65. DragonstarMay 22, 2015 at 1:25 PM

    So sad for the baby, but the circle of life goes on. Your photos are beautiful.

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  66. gmaMay 22, 2015 at 1:39 PM

    Your photographs are stunning.

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  67. Magical Mystical TeacherMay 22, 2015 at 1:40 PM

    ...always the violets remain...

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  68. NedekcirMay 22, 2015 at 1:44 PM

    love the vivid colors...

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  69. LeaMay 22, 2015 at 1:54 PM

    Such a bouquet of flowers here today, and the photos of your birds... are lovely. It is hard to understand the cycles of nature sometimes... I have been dealing with crows and racoons and feeling like I live in the wild instead of the downtown of my city... I love the touch of wild that you share with us Laura.

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  70. Anne JeffriesMay 22, 2015 at 3:08 PM

    Violet remains is very touching for me. Makes me think of my mother.

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  71. AlMay 22, 2015 at 5:57 PM

    Those are beautiful flowers and birds. I wish I could send you some of our rain this spring!

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  72. LeslieMay 22, 2015 at 7:09 PM

    Such lovely captures of the cardinals. Don't you just adore their spring songs? (I hate to see young things snatched up by hawks, too.) Just popping by to say hello and to wish you, as always, grace for the journey. And grace is quite evident in your words and photos.❤

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  73. Robert NicolaescuMay 22, 2015 at 11:44 PM

    Beautiful post.

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  74. LonettAMay 23, 2015 at 2:20 AM

    Brilliant series of macros! Wonderful details!

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  75. Leovi - La Fotografía Efectista AbstractaMay 23, 2015 at 7:33 AM

    beautiful sky, wonderful pictures!

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  76. Sallie (FullTime-Life)May 23, 2015 at 4:31 PM

    The violets are so sweet and bring back such wonderful memories. They are the perfect example of a flower that calls for slowing down to see and appreciate.

    Cowbirds are not my favorite bird .. I have trouble forgiving their bad habits. They are like the evil spirit of the bird world.

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  77. judieMay 24, 2015 at 6:59 AM

    Awesome cardinal shots. I had a nest too. Season before last. When I trim, I leave it. The nest is breaking apart slowly but I like to watch the progress. It's nature.

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  78. Nick VaMay 24, 2015 at 10:55 AM

    Lovely, Laura.
    Thanks for hosting.

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  79. Christa atCedarmereFarmMay 24, 2015 at 5:49 PM

    The cardinals are gorgeous. So sad to hear about the poor little bird. Nature can be tough to watch. Your flowers are beautiful too.

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  80. rebeccaMay 27, 2015 at 9:43 PM

    your flowers are lovely-your heart even more so. how we wish to nurture and protect when sometimes we are required to silently witness. oh the contours of a mothers heart.

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