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Binaural Soundscapes | Podcasts | Videos | Birds | Mammals | Amphibians | Reptiles | Insects | Ramblings | Miscellaneous
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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.
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 …
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 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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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.
I arrived in Missouri on the evening of July 28. I spent the night sleeping in my tent in a beautiful hardwood forest along a ridge overlooking the Missouri River. Awakening at first light, I was completely surprised by the rich chorus of Wood Thrushes, sounding off from all directions …
The season for insect song is rapidly unfolding. Here in upstate New York, it was remarkably quiet insect-wise until last weekend, when I finally heard meadow katydids, coneheads, bush katydids, and tree crickets sounding off in the dark of the night. So I jumped into action late Saturday night, hoping to capture a few pleasing insect soundscape recordings …
I arrived at Shindagin Hollow around 4:30am. It was dead quiet. I walked into the forest and made my way to a small, near-dry stream, with scattered stagnant pools. I had no particular expectations with regard to recording birds. Maybe a gentle chorus of distant, scattered singers? Maybe none at all? It’s mid-July and the soundscape was almost certain to be muted …
