Sounds of Northern Michigan: A Blustery Day on Empire Bluff Artwork

Nature Is My Jam

If you’re like me, then you love the sounds of nature. From the dawn chorus of birds that rings in the start of another day to the howl of coyotes in the dark of night, these sounds ignite curiosity, excitement and a deep appreciation for our planet. You’re listening to Nature is my Jam, a show that explores the rich kaleidoscope of nature sounds and the art of capturing pristine audio in remote wilderness locations. Hello. I’m Darrin and I document the hidden corners of the world through sound, filmmaking, and photography. Each week, I will take you along with me as I create natural soundscapes. We will discuss how I record these sounds, but the star of each show will be nature itself. A high-quality audio immersion providing a brief respite from your hectic day. Subscribe now so you don’t miss an episode and I look forward to continuing this conversation with you soon.

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Nature Is My Jam

Sounds of Northern Michigan: A Blustery Day on Empire Bluff

December 15, 2022 • Darrin Wassom • Season 1 • Episode 27

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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:

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Recording Details: