Shantism

Shaktism

2012-02-08T22:40:00.001-08:00

Shaktism or shakta comprises several trosinriktninger in Hinduism which Goddess worshiped primarily, even if the male aspect of the goddess or male gods also worshiped. The Goddess is seen in these traditions that the ultimate reality and is both creator and savior, but she herself is uncreated. Although we worship many different Goddesses in shaktismen one would think that they all manifest the same goddess, then, that all is Mahadevi , but in different forms. There are difficulties with the concept shaktism for the reason that certain sacred texts alone emphasizes the masculinity or femininity.
Goddess has two sides. One is good and calm, while the other is wild and dangerous. The good-natured side controlled most often by a male god, while the wild side is out of the male gods' control. Because of this, it is usually the wild goddesses Worshipped in shaktismen. It is believed that the Goddess is the highest principle, that she does not go by anyone. For this reason, they become untamed goddesses such as Kali and Durga popular.
There is a lack of resources shakti feminine development, but it is believed that shaktismen evolved from shaivismen because there are similarities between the two directions. In shaivismen seen Shiva the ultimate reality, while in the goddess shaktismen having that position. Shiva is the Goddess worshipers instead. A statement from shakti s why they are right, and not shivaiterna are: Shakti was Shiva's female partner and power, but Shiva Shakti would be a corpse. Shiva is therefore dependent on the Shakti in order to live. Shakti is Goddess.
Devi-mahatmya is the first important gudinnetexten that is completely dedicated to the Goddess. In the text, she is hailed as the ultimate reality. Devi-mahatmya is written not before 600 CE, but probably later. Shaktismen is most prevalent in Bengal and Assam . Especially in Bengal, it was common to write love songs ( bhakti -poetry) to the goddess, which became popular in the Ramprasads poetry in the mid 1700's.
Shaktismen advocate the female deity and is even more radical in their criticism of the caste system and Brahmanism. Brahma-Semitism is very anti-woman and shaktismen is opposite than in the matter. Shaktismen has approached shaivismen, especially for Shiva-coated androgynous.

Cinnamon Teal

2011-12-15T23:29:00.001-08:00

The Cinnamon Teal is an easily recognized dabbling duck of the western United States, with the male having rich cinnamon hues on it's body and head. They are closely related to the Blue-winged Teal, and will sometimes hybridize with them. They have more spatulate bills than their close cousins, however, although not as extreme as the Northern Shoveler's bill.
Habitat: Prefers shallow marshes and ponds in open country during breeding season. Can be found in nearly any shallow-water aquatic habitat during migration and in winter, including salt-water habitats.
Diet: Primarily feeds on the seeds of sedges, grasses, smartweeds, and aquatic plants. Will also feed on other plant material, insects, small crustaceans, and small mollusks.
Behavior: A dabbling duck, feeding by partially submerging its head and straining food items from the water. They will also sometimes feed on land adjacent to water.
Nesting: April through June
Breeding Map: Breeding Bird Survey map
Song: Weak whistling by the male, a typical quack from the female.
Migration: Summers throughout the western United States. Winters along the California coast, locally in the extreme Southwest, Mexico, and Central America.
Similar Species: Males distinctive, but females are extremely similar to female Blue-winged Teal.
Conservation Status: Has undoubtedly declined from historic numbers due to loss of wetland habitat.
Further Information: 1) USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Cinnamon Teal
2) Cornell University's "All About Birds - Cinnamon Teal"
3) eNature.com: Cinnamon Teal
Photo Information: June 19th, 2008 - Klamath Wildlife Refuge, California - Terry Sohl
Additional Photos: Click on the image chips or text links below for additional, higher-resolution Cinnamon Teal photos.

Cinnamon Teal

2011-07-28T05:46:00.000-07:00

The Cinnamon Teal (Anas cyanoptera) is a small, reddish dabbling duck found in marshes and ponds of western North and South America.

The adult male has a cinnamon-red head and body with a brown back, a red eye and a dark bill. The adult female has a mottled brown body, a pale brown head, brown eyes and a grey bill and is very similar in appearance to a female Blue-winged Teal; however its overall color is richer, the lore spot, eye line, and eye ring are less distinct. Its bill is longer and more spatulate. Male juvenile resembles a female Cinnamon or Blue-winged Teal but their eyes are red. They are 16 inches (410 mm) long, have a 22-inch (560 mm) wingspan, and weigh 14 ounces (400 g).They have 2 adult molts per year and a third molt in their first year.

Their breeding habitat is marshes and ponds in western United States and extreme southwestern Canada, and are rare visitors to the east coast of the United States. Cinnamon Teal generally select new mates each year. They are migratory and most winter in northern South America and the Caribbean, generally not migrating as far as the Blue-winged Teal. Some winter in California and southwestern Arizona. They are known to interbreed with Blue-winged Teals.These birds feed by dabbling. They mainly eat plants; their diet may include molluscs and aquatic insects.