The Music of Nature Blog
Hi Friends! Welcome to my Music of Nature blog, an ever-growing collection of free online articles, place-based celebrations, audio postcards, photo and video studies, musings and more … all created in celebration of the voices of the natural world.
Scroll down to access recent publications or else drill down via the category links. You may also search for specific content (such as individual species) by using the search box below.
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Binaural Soundscapes | Podcasts | Videos | Birds | Mammals | Amphibians | Reptiles | Insects | Ramblings | Miscellaneous
Lower Rio Grande Valley
Enjoy the unusual sounds of Common Pauraques and Plain Chachalacas, recorded from March 7-9 in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of extreme southern Texas. These Central and South American species only range into the United States in this region …
The Louisiana Coastal Marshes
At long last, I hereby publish the first podcast of my 2017 journey, highlighting a variety of recordings that I just made in the coastal marshes of Louisiana, in and around three National Wildlife Refuges. Featured are the voices of: Red-winged Blackbird, Loggerhead Shrike, King Rail, Nutria, Least Bittern, Northern Cardinal, Midges, Northern Cricket Frog, Boat-tailed Grackle, and Common Moorhen!
Music of Nature Podcast Now Live
Hi all! A “teaser” for my new “Music of Nature” podcast is now up on SoundCloud, and is also available on iTunes and Stitcher. If you’re a podcast aficionado, please subscribe now! My podcast won’t officially blast off until my 2017 Soundscape Recording Expedition begins late this month …
Touching Base – 22 Jan 2017
Hello everyone! This is just a quick “check-in” to let you know what’s up in my life. Other than my forthcoming Soundscape Recording Expedition to the western states, the “big news” in my life is that I will be soon be moving out of my studio space of nearly fifteen years …
Winter Birdscape
Winter is generally quiet here in the rolling hills of upstate New York, with the exception of the gurgle of brooks, wind in the trees, and occasional bird sounds. A few years ago, I made a special effort to record winter soundscapes. For the most part, I was not that successful. But on one ocassion, I got lucky …
Happy New Year 2017
Hi all! I hope you had a wonderful holiday and that the New Year 2017 will break all records in terms of your personal health, productivity, creativity, inner wisdom and peace! I haven’t been blogging lately, but I sure have been busy, primarily in preparation for a major recording expedition that will last 5-6 months and begin at the end of February …
Hermit Thrush and Light Rain – Podcast Prototype
“Hermit Thrush in Light Rain” is a podcast prototype and an exploration of the “Audio Postcard” format … about a minute of talking, followed by a over a minute of the soundscape itself …
Prairie Marsh – Podcast Prototype
The prairie pothole marshes have some of the most extraordinary soundscapes that I’ve encountered anywhere during my travels. I made this wonderful recording near Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge in North Dakota, way back in 1993, the year I began collecting binaural soundscapes. It is still among my most treasured recordings …
August Prairiesong – Podcast Prototype
I am thrilled to finish my latest podcast prototype, “August Prairiesong,” a true-to-life recounting of my early August visit to Taberville Prairie Conservation Area and Prairie State Park, both being tallgrass prairie preserves located in southwestern Missouri. Please join me on my adventure …
Bobolink Meadow – Podcast Prototype
I am always thrilled when the Bobolinks arrive in early May, having flown nearly 6000 miles from as far south as Argentina. Back in 2009, I got a splendid soundscape shortly after their return, when the males were setting up their territories, chasing one another about, and actively searching for females. This soundscape is the subject of my newest podcast prototype …
The Hermit Thrush – Podcast Prototype
Hallelujah! Another podcast prototype completed! This one features the splendid Hermit Thrush, and is an example of how I might handle species portraits of birds … covering both songs and calls. I’m pretty happy with the result.
Spring Peepers & Autumn Pipers – Podcast Prototype
A new podcast prototype! “Spring Peepers and Autumn Pipers” focuses on the calling behavior of the Spring Peeper, Pseudacris crucifer, but with a little twist that I think you’ll find interesting! …
Robin Flock in Light Rain
Sometimes, a compelling soundscape will present itself when least expected. Yesterday afternoon, during a light rain, I took a brief walk around our pond. To my delight, a flock of American Robins had settled into the patch of woods next to the pond and individuals were calling excitedly as they flew from perch to perch …
Autumn Jays (and more)
As autumn turns to winter, I find myself spending less time outdoors and way more time in front of my computer. Nonetheless, I have managed to get some new field recordings, the most interesting being a soundscape I recorded in Shindagin Hollow a few weeks ago …
Wood Duck Revelry
Wood Ducks have been gathering in woodland ponds as of late, with males and females courting like crazy, prior to their migration southward. You’re sure to enjoy this video, which features outstanding photographs by bird photographer Marie Read, accompanied by sound recordings by yours truly …
