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.
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Binaural Soundscapes | Podcasts | Videos | Birds | Mammals | Amphibians | Reptiles | Insects | Ramblings | Miscellaneous
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 …
Bugling of the Elk
In mid-October, I went on an expedition to witness the bugling of Elk (Cervus canadensis) in a free-ranging herd near Benezette, Pennsylvania. Although we arrived at the tail end of the rutting season, we were not disappointed …
Hello New Voice
Featuring me chatting and testing my “new voice” among hemlocks and hardwoods in Shindagin Hollow. Most certainly, the situation could be worse …
Apalachicola – Podcast Prototype
Join me on a camping expedition to the Apalachicola National Forest in the panhandle of Florida. You’re sure to be amazed at the fascinating natural soundscape of the southern pine woods … birds, frogs, insects and mammals sounding off from night into day …
Journey Highlights #4 – Louisiana & Arkansas
Leaving the Hill Country of Texas on August 5, I drove straight east into the southwest corner of Louisiana where I visited Sabine National Wildlife Refuge. The next day I traveled northward to Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge in south-central Arkansas. This post features highlights from both locations, including numerous recordings of birds, frogs, mammals, and insects …
Journey Highlights #3 – Oklahoma & Texas
After recording in Missouri’s tallgrass prairie, I drove south and west to spend an afternoon and evening in the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge in southwestern Oklahoma, followed by an overnight at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area in the Hill Country of Texas. In spite of miserably hot temperatures and a fairly stiff breeze, I managed to snag a few really useful recordings, including a growling Bison …
Journey Highlights #2 – Tallgrass Prairie
From August 1-2, I recorded in two tallgrass prairie locations in southwestern Missouri, Taberville Prairie Conservation Area, a beautiful refuge with a sweeping view from the parking lot, and Prairie State Park, which sports wonderful expanses of prairie grasses. As expected, the nature sounds were compelling.
