Nature Is My Jam – Détails, épisodes et analyse

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It feels good to be back. This is my first field recording in nearly two years, captured just after sunset along the banks of Otter Creek in Sleeping Bear Dunes. I used my Zoom F3 recorder paired with the Audio-Technica BP4025 microphone, placed as a drop rig for an overnight session.

As the light faded, I returned to one of my favorite spots—a quiet place where beavers often swim and birds gather in abundance. I watched two Trumpeter Swans descend and glide in beside a gathering of geese and ducks settling in for the night. Turkeys called from nearby trees, and the evening wrapped itself in the distant sound of Barred Owls echoing through the forest. It was peaceful, wild, and exactly what I’d been missing.

Recording Details:

• Date and Time: 4/17/2025 | 5:30 AM
• Location: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
• Landscape/Feature: Otter Creek
• Conditions: 61F (16C), Overnight, Light Breeze that changed to Gusting
• Recording Device: Zoom F3 Field Recorder
• Microphone(s): Audio Technica BP4025

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I would like to thank everyone that has donated or otherwise supported Nature is my Jam by liking, following, sharing and/or subscribing to the podcast. Your support goes directly to creating future episodes and allows this podcast to be ad-free and 100% listener supported. Your kindness means the world to me and I hope you might feel inspired to explore the natural areas where you live.

Subtlety and solitude were the theme of the early dawn as I drove towards the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore this morning. The morning sky was replaced by dark, brooding clouds as dawn broke and the crash and retreat of water against the sandy shoreline echoed a symphony that only nature could compose... a soothing rhythm that breathed sustenance into this muted morning. 

In this quiet, moody atmosphere, the resilient life of the beach was on full display. Dune grass swayed gently with the wind, each whisper adding another layer to the dawn soundtrack filling my ears. Intermingled with the subdued tones of the morning, vibrant shocks of color pierced through, with the Carolina Puccoon flowers shining their intense yellow petals. These hardy blooms were striking against the backdrop of rugged and scraggly pines that stand guard over the dunes, a testament to the beauty of nature. Rainy mornings such as these come with a precious offering - solitude. The beach, often teeming with life, was a haven of tranquility. The soft patter of the rain added a soothing rhythm to the natural melody, each drop a unique note in the lakeshore’s grand aria.

I spent the morning in unhurried exploration, my camera guiding my movements rather than any pre-set path. It led me across rolling dunes and clusters of wildflowers, while the captivating sounds of the beach played on. Time seemed suspended, every moment a snapshot of serene beauty set against the gentle music of the lake’s waves.

It was a morning filled with exploration and reflection, where nature’s music and visual spectacle were in perfect harmony. As the field recorder captured each note of the morning’s melody, I was reminded of the beauty in these unscripted moments and the enduring allure of nature’s symphony. It was, undoubtedly, a couple of hours well spent.

Recording Details:

• Date and Time: 6/13/2023 | 5:30 AM
• Location: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
• Landscape/Feature: Peterson Road Beach and Surrounding Dunes
• Conditions: 49F (9.5C), Sunrise, Cloudy, Misty, Rain
• Recording Device: Zoom F3 Field Recorder
• Microphone(s): Sonorous Objects SO.101 (matched pair in stereo configuration)

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I would like to thank everyone that has donated or otherwise supported Nature is my Jam by liking, following, sharing and/or subscribing to the podcast. Your support goes directly to creating future episodes and allows this podcast to be ad-free and 100% listener supported. Your kindness means the world to me and I hope you might feel inspired to explore the natural areas where you live.

A fairly short recording this week, but it is time well spent with a raft of Mallard Ducks. Until today, I would have said a flock of ducks but, apparently, ducks are only called a flock when they are in flight. When they are in the water, a raft, team, or a paddling of ducks is used. When they are on land? That’s called a sord of ducks. This is certain to be a question on Jeopardy, so jot this down and keep it close to the vest. Just remember me when you win. 

This is a recording from the same location as last week, but from the other side of Otter Creek. I left a recorder and microphones attached to a tree close to the bank of the creek. When I went to retrieve the gear, I could see at least 100 ducks grouped together and being very talkative. A heavy snow was coming down, so they appeared as ghosts on the creek and I immediately regretted not having a longer lens on my camera to get a photo.  

In other news, I found a new recording location much closer to my house. I spent a few hours there this week to scout the location and get a feel for the wildlife in the area. It is so quiet that my test recording came back with NOTHING. No cars, no airplanes, and no nature sounds. However, there are plentiful signs of activity, so I just need to learn the area for better microphone placement. 

Apologies for the short recording this week, but I think you will enjoy it. For the discerning listener, you will probably hear some random traffic noise. This is because of the time of day of the recording and its proximity to a main road. I can only record from this location at night because there is very little traffic, but I think the noise is faint enough that it won’t distract from the listening experience. 

Recording Details:

• Date and Time: 1/26/2023 | 10:00 AM
• Location: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
• Landscape/Feature: Otter Creek
• Conditions: 28F (-2C), Heavy Snow, Moderate Wind, Dense Fog
• Recording Device: Zoom F6 Field Recorder
• Microphone(s): Sonorous Objects SO.1 Microphones
• Digital Audio Workstation: Adobe Audition

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I would like to thank everyone that has donated or otherwise supported Nature is my Jam by liking, following, sharing and/or subscribing to the podcast. Your support goes directly to creating future episodes and allows this podcast to be ad-free and 100% listener supported. Your kindness means the world to me and I hope you might feel inspired to explore the natural areas where you live.

“If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?” - Dr. George Berkeley.

“My heart's in the Highlands, my heart is not here; My heart‘s in the Highlands a-chasing the deer.” - Robert Burns.

“Poetry is an echo, asking a shadow to dance.” - Carl Sandburg.

Crash, stomp and snort. All three sounds will become abundantly apparent as you listen to this week’s episode. I left a couple of clues in the quotes above. Success always finds the patient and prepared field recordist. I made that up. It’s no secret that the last few weeks have not been great for recording wildlife and nature sounds. My goal this week was to get back into the forest and feature an episode where the primary theme was not the sound of water.

I had a mild collision on my way to record last night, which caused some delay in getting to the recording location. I’m fine, the truck is fine, but a group of saplings sacrificed themselves in order to bring this recording to you. It was late when I arrived and because I had a mile to hike to the recording location; I prepared a drop rig setup. A drop rig is the name given by field recordists for recording equipment left unattended for an extended period without being monitored. This style of recording is useful for nocturnal activities or where wildlife is not used to human presence. With signs of beaver activity, animal prints (deer, fox), and hearing coyotes across the wide creek, hopes were high for a successful recording. 

I am thrilled with this recording. It starts off with the answer to the age old question, proffered by Berkeley in the 1600s and then follows a very curious and excitable deer as it comes across my recording gear in the middle of the night. A deer will stomp its hooves when it senses danger and you can hear it rush towards the microphone and then come back with piqued curiosity. It does not leave the area and eventually beds down a few feet from the microphone.

Finally, the echoes in this recording are breathtaking. I hope you enjoy this episode and I’ll see you next week.

Recording Details:

• Date and Time: 1/26/2023 | 2:45 AM
• Location: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
• Landscape/Feature: Near Otter Creek in a Densely Wooded Forest
• Conditions: 28F (-2C), Heavy Snow, Moderate Wind, Dense Fog
• Recording Device: Zoom F3 Field Recorder
• Microphone(s): Audio Technica BP 4025
• Digital Audio Workstation: Adobe Audition

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I would like to thank everyone that has donated or otherwise supported Nature is my Jam by liking, following, sharing and/or subscribing to the podcast. Your support goes directly to creating future episodes and allows this podcast to be ad-free and 100% listener supported. Your kindness means the world to me and I hope you might feel inspired to explore the natural areas where you live.

Captain’s Log, Stardate 100646.84. It has been weeks since the sun has appeared on this planet. A constant mist has enveloped this region, identified as northern Michigan, since the dawn of a new earth year. Contact made today with earthlings that appear to be in distress because of warm temperatures and a lack of something they call Vitamin D. Of all the earthlings encountered in Alpha Quadrant, the northerner is, perhaps, the strangest. 

Summary:

My goal to record the Red Fox again this week did not go well. The constant wind and misting rain have played hell with my recording equipment and my patience. Two nights of failed recordings and hours spent alone in a field with rain running down my neck convinced me to give up on the Red Fox this week. I bailed on Sleeping Bear Dunes and made my way to Northport to visit the Leelanau State Park. I like the rocky beach at this park, which is unlike the sandy stretches of Sleeping Bear. There is also a cool lighthouse and the ability to watch Great Lakes Freighters as they make their way to the Upper Peninsula through the Manitou Straits. 

I didn’t intend to record the wave action, but the wind was just right to capture some interesting sounds as the waves crashed into large rocks near the shore. The water levels are down so I could get further out than what is possible to get close to some large boulders….. that are slick (I know this but sometimes I’m an idiot). I realized, too late, that my feet were slipping and it dumped me into the lake. I’d love to say it was part of a planned Polar Plunge, but I’d be lying. Luckily, I had extra clothes in the truck, so could change and keep recording. The only thing I didn’t have was another pair of boots, but I found that if I kept moving that my feet didn’t get too cold. 

I was going to apologize for recording more lake and wave activity, but I’m not sure it is necessary. Every water feature is unique and offers an interesting soundscape. Being surrounded by the Great Lakes is special and something I shouldn’t take for granted. I want to bring you diverse recordings and interesting soundscapes every week, but I have to take the sounds that are given to me. 

Recording Details:

• Date and Time: 1/18/2023 | 2:30 PM
• Location: Leelanau State Park in Northport, Michigan
• Landscape/Feature: Rocky Beach
• Conditions: 32F (0C), Windy, Fog
• Recording Device: Zoom F3 Field Recorder
• Microphone(s): Audio Technica BP 4025
• Digital Audio Workstation: Adobe Audition

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I would like to thank everyone that has donated or otherwise supported Nature is my Jam by liking, following, sharing and/or subscribing to the podcast. Your support goes directly to creating future episodes and allows this podcast to be ad-free and 100% listener supported. Your kindness means the world to me and I hope you might feel inspired to explore the natural areas where you live.

I hesitate to call this week’s recording an episode because it is, shall we say, brief? I hiked a few trails today, hoping to come across some interesting sounds that didn’t involve a lake, river or stream. Even though I love the sound of water, I have limits. Recording in winter, or what northern Michigan is giving us for a winter, requires patience and a lot of failed attempts. I know where to find wildlife most of the time, but damn if they haven’t eluded me as of late. 

Today started at the Kettles Trail, where the trail runs alongside a bog deep in the woods. (I know. More water.) There is a nice overlook that I thought might work for birds or perhaps otters or muskrats. While the trail had the right ingredients, its proximity to M-72 (State Highway) kept it out of the running for any audio recordings. However, it is an amazing trail and definitely worth a visit. 

With the first hike under my belt, I made my way to the Windy Moraine Trail, which features an overlook above Glen Lake (I know, I know). This trail is essentially straight up and then straight down, but I still love it. There are sections where forest meets field, which is usually a great opportunity to record deer, fox, birds, etc but not today. It is a short trail but will definitely get your heart rate up in the stratosphere. I saw fox tracks and evidence of Pileated Woodpeckers but I didn’t find any wildlife to record. 

I wanted/needed a recording for this week so drove over to Pyramid Point and hiked up the bluff that overlooks Lake Michigan (again; I know). It was dark by this time and there was complete cloud cover, so I wasn’t expecting a view, but I hoped I might get a recording of the waves below as they echoed around the standing trees at the top of the bluff. There was very little wind, so the waves were about as gentle as a mud puddle and barely audible in my headphones. 

I completed the loop and as I was hiking through the meadows near the trailhead; I caught sight of a Red Fox in the beam of my headlamp. Then I saw another one and a minute later, started hearing them yip. The yipping sound followed me all the way back to the trailhead. As I got to the trailhead, I hooked up my shotgun microphone to the recorder, hoping to track their calls as they circled around the area. 

Recording Details:

• Date and Time: 1/11/2023 | 8:25 PM
• Location: Pyramid Point at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
• Landscape/Feature: Meadows
• Conditions: 38F (3C), night, complete cloud cover, heavy fog
• Recording Device: Zoom F6 Field Recorder
• Microphone(s): Audio Technica BP 4025
• Digital Audio Workstation:

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I would like to thank everyone that has donated or otherwise supported Nature is my Jam by liking, following, sharing and/or subscribing to the podcast. Your support goes directly to creating future episodes and allows this podcast to be ad-free and 100% listener supported. Your kindness means the world to me and I hope you might feel inspired to explore the natural areas where you live.

Welcome to Season Two of the Nature is my Jam podcast! 2023 is finally here, and the year begins anew with resolutions, intentions, hope and excitement. We are still early enough in the year where our resolve to change habits is still strong, right? One of my resolutions for 2023 is to embrace inclement weather rather than sitting in front of the fireplace. Cold and snow doesn’t bother me but I draw the line at rain. Living in northern Michigan, it’s a safe bet that most days in winter are of the inclement weather variety. With that resolution in mind, I spent a morning on the Platte River, where it empties into Lake Michigan, watching the ice floes go past and to feel the stinging sleet hit my face. Sleet, in my mind, is closer to snow than rain because it is cold but doesn’t look as nice. I rate this weather experience at 6 out of 10. 

The Platte River meanders 30 miles through forests, open land and wetlands that are in the public trust. The mouth of the river empties into Lake Michigan at Platte River Point, which is part of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and is an idyllic spot in winter. There are few cars and even fewer people venturing out on the beach. I only saw an angler early in the morning and then a Mom and her son bravely taking a stroll down the beach as the weather intensified from sleet to wet, heavy snow. The river takes a dogleg right as it nears Lake Michigan and runs parallel to the beach for about a 1/4 mile before meeting crashing waves. 

During the recording, several large floes of ice moved down the river and met their fate in Lake Michigan. Northern Michigan experienced a thaw after the “winter storm of 2022” so it surprised me to see these large chunks of ice in the river. The recording features the sound of the river as it cascades against some large rocks. In the background, you can hear the roar of the Lake Michigan waves as they hit the shore. It is a confusing sound, but oddly hypnotic. Thick fog permeated the scene, and the sun had no chance to make its presence known. Near the end, sleet enters the scene and offers a wet pitter patter of its icy flavor to round out the recording. 

Recording Details:

• Date and Time: 1/5/2023 | 8:00AM
• Location: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lake Shore
• Landscape/Feature: Mouth of the Platte River as it empties into Lake Michigan
• Conditions: 33F (.6C), gentle breeze, fog, sleet
• Recording Device: Zoom F3
• Microphone(s): Audio Technica BP 4025
• Digital Audio Workstation: Adobe Audition

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I would like to thank everyone that has donated or otherwise supported Nature is my Jam by liking, following, sharing and/or subscribing to the podcast. Your support goes directly to creating future episodes and allows this podcast to be ad-free and 100% listener supported. Your kindness means the world to me and I hope you might feel inspired to explore the natural areas where you live.

By most measures, 2022 was not kind. I still can’t bring myself to talk about it, but my sidekick and constant companion, Bella (Boo Boo) lost her battle with cancer. If you were ever on a conference call with me, then you most definitely saw her sitting on my shoulder. She was a constant presence and I miss her dearly. She was tiny but mighty, never hesitating to yell at me if I wasn’t paying enough attention to her. We also lost Scruffy, our adventure cat, a few months ago. As if that wasn’t bad enough, our beloved Black Lab, Jasmine, also passed away at 12.

Unexpectedly, I lost my job in February because of my position being eliminated. There isn’t a need to go into detail, but that event caused a short-term panic and an opportunity to reflect on my 25 year career in information security and risk management.  With the support of my wife, Rhonda, and hours of financial calculations, we made the decision that I would take a long break from my career and look for a new path forward. This podcast results from being given the opportunity to try something new without the stress of reinventing myself at another company. 

As we head into 2023, I want to devote this episode to my feelings of gratitude. I have compiled the best bits from each episode in 2022 to create a retrospective of sorts. It was a mix of fun and cringe as I went back to the beginning of this journey. My early recordings were not good, but had great intentions. I committed to a goal of improving every week and seeking help from other field recordists. I like to think that my recordings improved with each episode and I am happy that so many people helped me along the way. 

I start each morning by writing out three things I am grateful for in my journal. It always starts with Rhonda. Always. Simply, she is the reason I have this podcast and the latitude to pursue this fresh path. She has never doubted me and is always there to cheer me on. Her support means the world to me, and I will forever be grateful that she is in my life. The other two items vary each day, but there will never be a time where Rhonda isn’t the very first name in the journal. 

I am also grateful to YOU. It means so much to me, giving up a few minutes of your time every week to listen to the podcast and share your thoughts. As I’ve said before, I started this podcast because I felt I had something to say but didn’t know how to say it yet. Recording nature sounds gave me a voice that I desperately needed, and it was a giant leap into the abyss to publish that first episode. I didn’t tell anyone about the podcast until the third episode and did not know what to expect. I could imagine people saying, “What gives? A podcast with no one talking? That’s really weird, dude. Really weird.” 

And perhaps a podcast without talking is weird, but it clearly resonates with many people. I can’t say thank you enough and while I have been saying this from the very beginning, it bears repeating. Thank you for listening. I would like to thank you for your encouragement. Thank you for your generosity. Most of all, thank you for your time. Time is precious and I don’t take it for granted that you

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May the closeness of friends and the comfort of home renew your spirits this holiday season. 

I would like to thank everyone that has donated or otherwise supported Nature is my Jam by liking, following, sharing and/or subscribing to the podcast. Your support goes directly to creating future episodes and allows this podcast to be ad-free and 100% listener supported. Your kindness means the world to me and I hope you might feel inspired to explore the natural areas where you live.

Summary:

Welcome to episode 28 of the Nature is my Jam podcast. As 2022 winds down, Mother Nature is going to remind us she is all powerful and wants to add some excitement to the season’s holidays. We have a major winter storm heading our way and if the weather predictors are right; we are going to end the year with a doozy of a blizzard. With this in mind, I wanted to record what I am calling the ‘calm before the storm. It was a cold yet mild day here in northern Michigan and I, once again, found myself along one of my favorite beaches along the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. 

We are the Peterson Road Beach, which is near Honor, Michigan and very close to the Platte River Campground. This recording features gentle waves and a very light wind. While it was a mild day in terms of wind, the temperatures dropped throughout the day and the skies got very dark. My watch notified me of blizzard and extreme weather warnings the entire time I was recording, and my wife even called to make sure I hadn’t fallen off a bluff or into a ravine. Severe weather warnings, I’ve noticed, bring a hint of concern *and* excitement to everyone affected. While the storm is still a day away, instinct creeps in and everyone does their best to prepare and, well, wait. 

The Rest of the Story:

The truth of the matter is that while it was extremely cold along the lakeshore, I was in no real danger during the recording. Dressed for the weather, I knew I’d be able to get back home before any major snow or drop in the temperature. My truck can get through snow and I always bring extra clothing, water and a personal emergency beacon that will notify family and first responders via satellite if I need help. 

The storm is definitely on its way and I plan on getting out to record as long as long as I can get down our tiny two-track and out onto a main road. If we don’t get plowed out for a few days, then I’ll explore and record right in the backyard. It could be a long few days of being housebound and I’m okay with that. The fireplace will roar, hot cocoa will be at the ready and a long backlog of Hallmark Xmas movies will entertain us for days.  

Recording Details:

• Date and Time: 12/21/2022 | 3:30 PM
• Location: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lake Shore
• Landscape/Feature: Peterson Road Beach
• Conditions: Extreme Cold, Light Wind, Very Cloudy
• Recording Device: Zoom F3
• Microphone(s): Audio Technica BP 4025
• Digital Audio Workstation: Adobe Audition

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I would like to thank everyone that has donated or otherwise supported Nature is my Jam by liking, following, sharing and/or subscribing to the podcast. Your support goes directly to creating future episodes and allows this podcast to be ad-free and 100% listener supported. Your kindness means the world to me and I hope you might feel inspired to explore the natural areas where you live.

Summary:

Welcome to episode 27 of the Nature is my Jam podcast. Winter in Michigan presents a unique set of challenges with field recording. My new mantra is, “If it’s blowing wind, then it must be <insert day of week>.” This week was no exception and we, once again, brave the elements in pursuit of those sweet, sweet sounds of nature. I have wanted to hike the Empire Bluff Trail at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore all year and with 2023 quickly approaching, I knew I had to get my butt in gear. 

The Empire Bluff trail isn’t terribly long, but presents some of the most iconic and scenic views at Sleeping Bear Dunes. Overlooking Lake Michigan, the trail offers sweeping views of South Manitou Island, massive sand dunes and the stunning South Bar Lake with its narrow spit of land separating it from Lake Michigan. On the day of this recording, I had the entire trail almost to myself, sharing it was a pair of hikers and two Bald Eagles. 

This recording features massive wind (welcome to Winter in northern Michigan) blowing through the woods and down the bluff to where I was standing. The wind goes from a whisper to a howl to a roar in several minutes. Creaking trees, airborne ferns and sand pebbles shimmer across the soundscape as the wind shifts direction. It is a stunning show of force that, once again, reminds us of the power of nature. 

The Rest of the Story:

Hop on over to the Nature is my Jam website for the rest of the story!!

Recording Details:

• Date and Time: 12/14/2022 | 1:45 PM
• Location: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lake Shore
• Landscape/Feature: Empire Bluff Trail overlooking Lake Michigan
• Conditions: Extreme wind, Cloudy, Blustery, Cold, Ice
• Recording Device: Zoom F3
• Microphone(s): Audio Technica BP 4025

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