Nature Is My Jam

If you’re like me, you love the sounds of nature—the dawn chorus, the rustle of wind through trees, the call of coyotes in the dark. These sounds spark curiosity, calm, and a deeper connection to the world around us.

Welcome to Nature Is My Jam, a podcast that shares immersive soundscapes recorded in the quiet corners of Northern Michigan and beyond. I’m Darrin, a field recordist capturing the subtle and wild voices of nature by taking my gear to remote places. Each episode features a natural soundscape, along with a few thoughts on how and where it was recorded. It’s a brief pause from the noise of everyday life—and a reminder to listen more closely.

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Nature Is My Jam

Moody Morning on the Beach

June 14, 2023 • Darrin Wassom • Season 2 • Episode 14

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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.

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