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nature recordings
 
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Muir Woods

Muir Woods National Monument is located on Mount Tamalpais near the Pacific coast about 12 miles north of San Francisco. The trails in this beautiful park follow alongside Redwood Creek and are surrounded by towering old growth coastal redwood trees. I visited this park on two separate days in February 2017. I initially didn’t realize there were water features in this park, but since I almost always take my recording setup with me when hiking, I was able to capture some amazing recordings of Redwood Creek, including some beautiful sections of waterfalls accessible from some of the surrounding trails.

As with all my stream and waterfall recordings, I tend to record many different “sound textures” – ranging from the heavy flow of the waterfalls to little babbling sections of the stream, to the birds and other animals in the surrounding forests. I weave these different sound textures together in gradually evolving combinations to keep the sound fresh to the listener’s ear.

Warden’s Falls

Warden’s Falls are located in the Lake Toxaway region of North Carolina. There are so many waterfalls in North Carolina. I chose to visit this one based on the following description by Melissa Watson: “Symphonic! The sweetest of sounds can be heard here, formed by Mother Nature’s very own orchestra. As you rest upon the rocks amidst the falls, a symphony of water plays in perfect harmony and elicits your every emotion.” [Hiking Waterfalls in North Carolina: A Falcon Guide]

Indeed, these waterfalls are mesmerizing! I visited in early Spring, and everything in the surrounding forest was so lush compared to upstate New York. The soil was rich, the undergrowth was thick with ferns, and the bird calls were different than I was used to. I had the waterfalls to myself, and it was magic!

Song of the Indian Kill

Indian Kill is the name of a stream (“kill” is dutch for “creek”) that runs through Indian Kill Nature Preserve in Glenville, NY. I recorded nine different sections of the stream, ranging from gentle bubbling to moderate flow to fairly intense waterfalls. On this recording the nine layers gradually intertwine and overlap such that the sounds continually evolve throughout the recording – this keeps the sounds fresh to the listener’s ear. Along the way you will also hear many birds, chirping creatures, chattering squirrels, and other sounds of the natural forest.

This recording is divided into two parts but is intended to play continuously. You may hear a small gap between the two parts depending on your playback system.

The Lake Where the Tall Pines Grow

I recorded the natural sounds of Lake Winnipesaukee, NH, during a three-week period in August 2007. These recordings were originally used as backdrops for my hammered dulcimer album Juliet’s Point.

1. Morning Calm. The gentle lapping of the lake along the shore during a very calm early morning, along with the call of the loon!

2. Afternoon Breeze. The breeze picks up and you can hear the choppy waves swirling against the shore.

3. Early Evening Rain. An early evening rainstorm swings in across the lake, starting with gentle rain and hints of thunder, followed by more urgent rain and rolling thunder, then tapering off again.

4. Night. As night arrives the crickets begin their timeless chirp and the lake settles down for a calm and restful sleep…