Outdoor Sounds

It’s early spring in West Michigan. Amidst the smells of thawed earth, an unexpected twist: a chorus of high-pitched whistles fills the air. What is this strange, delightful sound?

Listen to the sounds of nature coming to life on this snowy trail in the woods. 

Listen as cars pass on the nearby freeway and snow crunches underfoot along a looping trail.

Gently falling snow outside of a cozy remote cabin. Last winter I had the opportunity to rent a cabin in Baldwin, MI to get away and experience the quiet.  And mother nature did not disappoint.  Here is audio of the snow gently falling on the deck of the cabin while I say inside by the fire.  Last, it was recorded with my my Sound Devices MixPre 6 and used both my Sennheiser MKH 416 shotgun mic

Listen to some late August, evening rain as I walk through the various terrains on the Blandford Nature Center’s Black Forty Loop. You may recognize this recording as an earlier episode. The only difference is I looped it for 8 hours. That means if you need some extended deep focus or even some background noise to fall asleep to, this might do the trick. This trail is a light hike, being just over...

Listen to the crisp sounds of fresh snow on a morning hike around the frozen lake.

Listen to the sounds of small hail pattering against the ground, trees, and cabin out in Baldwin, Michigan.

Listen as the icy river babbles past and relax in the quiet, winter woods.

Listen for the quietness of snow while passing a few animals, hikers, and cars along the Sandy Hansen Shoreline Orange Trail.

The wind is blowing all around as fall transitions into winter on this early November afternoon.  As the wind blows, the last few leaves on the trees seem to hold on in the winter chill. It’s so quiet and peaceful, making the gentle whisper of the wind more audible.  Listen for a pair of delicate sounds: The quiet wind cooling the Michigan air. The few remaining leaves fluttering against the trees...

The trail is bustling with life, a combination of the chorus of birds, wildlife in the woods, and the fast-paced freeway beside some of the paths.  Hiking along Millennium Red Trail, a large network of trails that move along lakes and woods, introduces a variety of natural and urban sounds. While the last bit of the trail follows along a main road, the secluded spots house many unique birds and an...

Hike through the crisp sounds of leaves, crickets, passing cars, and a calm creek in these 20 acres hidden away in the woods of Manistee. 

Explore a short, hidden trail along the brush and listen to the sanctuary of birds all around.

Listen to the active sounds of leaves rustling in the wind and birds chirping near the lakeside shore of Orchard Beach State Park.

Listen to water flowing while walking along the boardwalk between nature and a small Michigan town.

Listen as footsteps trek through the woods and gravel, while birds sing with bugs on this sunny evening.

Walk through a world between two on this woodsy trail, sitting in the center of a city where birds and people hum together in busy harmony.

Listen to the small sounds caught in a rare, quiet night out at a cottage beside the highway as nature stands still.

Listen as the sounds of a thunderstorm in the city wash away the rest of the evening noise in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Enjoy the sounds of an early evening walk through the lively woods and along the bubbling stream as animals move all around.

Listen to the crisp sounds of walking on gravel and whispers of grasshoppers from this mid-September trek through the Highland Trails.

Listen to the crisp steps through a fresh layer of December snow and refreshing quiet on this afternoon walk on the Sheep Ranch Pathway Trail.  This trail is a winter wonderland 2-mile hike and is filled with trees, a lake, and a few empty campgrounds located in Baldwin, Michigan.  And with this comes a couple of unique sounds to listen for:  The sound of footsteps through fresh snow, a few inches...

In nature, there is sound even in the stillness.  Midwest summer nights are beloved for the warmth isn’t around enough in Michigan. There is something special in the sound of these balmy nights.  The sounds in this episode are simple: Insects and animals that only come out at night. The air you can sense even though it’s still. And perhaps the humming of your neighbor’s air conditioning unit. List...

Listen to some late August, evening rain as we walk through the various terrains on the Blandford Nature Center’s Black Forty Loop. This trail is a light hike, being just over a mile, and is a fantastic place for birdwatching and walking. But there is a variety of sounds to catch as you listen:  The rain pouring onto the leaves and the umbrella (perhaps the most beautiful part)... Each unique soun...

This is Outdoor Sounds. A podcast that takes your ears on a nature walk with a collection of audio recordings of hikes, storms, and nature sounds of all kinds.  Take a listen to a sample of the adventures you’ll get to go on starting Thursday, March 30th.  Join host and fellow hiker, Jeff Large, every Thursday for a new set of nature sounds.  Make sure to follow Outdoor Sounds wherever you listen...