121: Douglas Fir Tree Ears On A Rainy Winter Night- Part 1

121: Douglas Fir Tree Ears On A Rainy Winter Night- Part 1

Author: Sound By Nature January 15, 2023 Duration: 3:00:00

This recording was gathered on a rainy winter night in the dense forest near the Pacific Crest Trail in Shasta-Trinity National Forest, Shasta County, California. The wind was calm and the rain fell steadily on the snowy forest floor. This is the first part of an all night recording. During the second part of the night the wind picks up and the rain becomes heavier; you can hear it in the next episode. 

I made this by using the tree ears recording technique, in which a microphone is placed on either side of the trunk of a tree, in this case a Douglas Fir. I protected the microphones from the rain by making a little cover using boughs from the recently downed top half of a nearby Ponderosa Pine, which had been broken off by powerful winds during one of the many strong storms that recently battered the area. I set up the mics and recorder just before dark, then came back and retrieved them the following morning. Upon my return I was very happy to find everything dry and unharmed by the rain. 

At 1:06:24 you will hear a tree fall in the distance, if you listen closely.

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I really hope this recording brings you a little peace and provides you with a brief respite from the many stresses of everyday life. Thank you very much for listening. Stay healthy, stay safe, stay sound.


Sometimes the most profound moments come from simply listening to the world outside our windows. Sound By Nature is an invitation to pause and immerse yourself in the authentic acoustics of the natural world, curated into thoughtful audio experiences. Each episode is a dedicated soundscape, free from narration or music, capturing everything from the gentle patter of rain in an old-growth forest to the distant crash of ocean waves at dusk. It’s a resource for recentering, whether you need a backdrop for deep work, a tool for meditation, or a gentle path into restful sleep. This podcast draws from the fields of acoustic ecology and environmental science, presenting these recordings not just as ambient noise, but as a connection to the intricate and often overlooked sound environments that surround us. Tune in, put on your headphones, and let the raw, unedited symphony of the planet provide a much-needed respite from the clutter of daily life.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Sound By Nature
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