By Juliana Di Leonardo
The winter conjures thoughts of watching delicate snowflakes descend from clouded skies, graceful ice dancers effortlessly gliding from one trick to another, and steep blanketed hills with daring sleighriders searching for speed, but there is one seasonal activity that others partake in that is far from beautiful or fun, duck hunting. Often forgotten, but easily reminded by audible shots fired in the distance, this powerful sound not only bothers locals but with accurate bullet feathers become airborne and a lifeless body is left behind.This year we haven’t yet experienced a winter wonderland, but our organization has already encountered many individuals who have become upset by the amount of shooting going on. Hunters have designated places where they are allowed to kill ducks or other animals but recently there have been golf courses, like the one in Hewlett Harbor, that have been allowing individuals to shoot from their establishment to keep birds away. Many hunters and fishermen will claim that hunting or fishing is a way for them to connect with nature, but there are definitely kinder ways to appreciate the world around us.Long Island, apart from being very dense with people, provides a variety of beautiful parks and preserves along its shoreline and more towards eastern Long Island. Many people use them as places to bird-watch or “shoot” wildlife with their cameras. There can be much joy found in observing animals while they frolic and play among native trees and plants.Another alternative to killing animals for sport, like fishing, is to use magnets. Trash fishing is when individuals go out to any body of water such as a pond, lake, or beach and use magnets, trash pickers, and buckets to collect items that were carelessly discarded into nature. One can find old fishing equipment, empty cans, bottles, and way more. This activity not only helps the animals but keeps the environment healthy and safe.For this week’s Anuvrat, I encourage you to go outside, listen, learn and coexist with nature. Take time to capture the beauty around you with a traditional camera or the one on your phone. If you would like to do a little more then help remove any junk that doesn’t belong. Allow yourself to be fully engulfed in the world around you, and know that a kind option is always available.
Juliana Di Leonardo is the Vice President of Humane Long Island. She is a yoga and ballroom dance instructor, model, and artist. Her advocacy for animals exploited by the fashion industry was credited in the 2021 documentary “The Face of Fashion is Fear” and recognized by PETA with a Hero for Coyotes award.
Images courtesy of (Image courtesy: peta.org) and (Image provided)
