Shows
Nature Is My JamFading Light on Otter CreekSend us a textIt feels good to be back. This is my first field recording in nearly two years, captured just after sunset along the banks of Otter Creek in Sleeping Bear Dunes. I used my Zoom F3 recorder paired with the Audio-Technica BP4025 microphone, placed as a drop rig for an overnight session.As the light faded, I returned to one of my favorite spots—a quiet place where beavers often swim and birds gather in abundance. I watched two Trumpeter Swans descend and glide in beside a gathering of geese and ducks se...
2025-04-1956 min
Nature Is My JamMoody Morning on the BeachSend us a textI would like to thank everyone that has donated or otherwise supported Nature is my Jam by liking, following, sharing and/or subscribing to the podcast. Your support goes directly to creating future episodes and allows this podcast to be ad-free and 100% listener supported. Your kindness means the world to me and I hope you might feel inspired to explore the natural areas where you live.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...
2023-06-1450 min
Nature Is My JamSpring Peepers in Concert: Return to Boekeloo LodgeSend us a textI would like to thank everyone that has donated or otherwise supported Nature is my Jam by liking, following, sharing and/or subscribing to the podcast. Your support goes directly to creating future episodes and allows this podcast to be ad-free and 100% listener supported. Your kindness means the world to me and I hope you might feel inspired to explore the natural areas where you live.Returning to the idyllic Boekeloo Lodge at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore for the second week, it was as though I had stepped into a...
2023-05-2447 min
Nature Is My JamSounds of Sleeping Bear Dunes: High Noon at the Boekeloo LodgeSend us a textI would like to thank everyone that has donated or otherwise supported Nature is my Jam by liking, following, sharing and/or subscribing to the podcast. Your support goes directly to creating future episodes and allows this podcast to be ad-free and 100% listener supported. Your kindness means the world to me and I hope you might feel inspired to explore the natural areas where you live.Today, we’re exploring the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and uncovering the story of the Boekeloo Lodge. This charming cabin, nestled in a picturesque la...
2023-05-1626 min
Nature Is My JamDawn Chorus at Sleeping Bear Dunes National LakeshoreSend us a textQuick Note: You will hear some artificial noises in this recording, but they are few and I don’t feel they detract from the recording. It is becoming increasingly difficult to record pristine audio without driving hundreds of miles and spending countless hours in its pursuit. I realize it is perhaps better to include the artificial sounds and recognize that we live in a society where noise pollution exists. I am a perfectionist for my work and I struggle on where to draw the line and release a recording. To maintain my sanity, I...
2023-05-0838 min
Nature Is My JamLake Michigan Waves: A Meditative ExperienceSend us a text I would like to thank everyone that has donated or otherwise supported Nature is my Jam by liking, following, sharing and/or subscribing to the podcast. Your support goes directly to creating future episodes and allows this podcast to be ad-free and 100% listener supported. Your kindness means the world to me and I hope you might feel inspired to explore the natural areas where you live.Welcome to the latest episode of the Nature is my Jam Podcast! I am a firm believer in the meditative and restorative benefits of simply l...
2023-04-062h 12
Nature Is My JamBarred Owl Mating Season in Northern MichiganSend us a textQUICK NOTE: This recording has a fair bit of noise pollution in the form of traffic and the occasional aircraft. I was a couple of miles away from where I wanted to record but heard the owls starting their calls so wanted to record them. My apologies but I really think this recording is amazing and I wanted to share it with you. I would like to thank everyone that has donated or otherwise supported Nature is my Jam by liking, following, sharing...
2023-03-2415 min
Nature Is My JamWhat Lies Beneath: Hydrophone Recording of the Boardman RiverSend us a textGreetings one and all. We have returned from a brief hiatus after the passing of Rhonda’s Dad to venture out to the Boardman River for a hydrophone recording. Hydrowhat? A hydrophone is a specialized microphone used to capture the hidden sounds of aquatic environment that happen beneath the surface of the water. Unlike traditional microphones that are designed to pick up sound waves traveling through the air, hydrophones are engineered to detect sound waves transmitted through the water. These fascinating devices work by converting changes in underwater pressure caused by sound waves in...
2023-03-1630 min
The Natural Curiosity ProjectEpisode 208 - Sound Recordist Darren WassomDarrin Wassom made an envious (and courageous) career change: He went from a long, successful career as a cybersecurity specialist to being a newly-minted recordist, capturing and sharing the sounds of the natural world. His story is more than just the story of a shifted career: it's the story of someone for whom passion, and balance, and family, and life are more important than career. This is an important story; I hope you enjoy it. You can find Darrin's work at NatureIsMyJam.net, and his Podcast of the same name is available wherever you get your Podcasts. #NatureIsMyJam. @DarrinWassom
2023-03-0845 min
Nature Is My JamFinding Solace Amongst the Waves of Lake MichiganSend us a textRecorded with the Sonorous Objects SO.1 microphones and the Zoom F3 Field Recorder, this episode is all about how I find solace and peace by spending time in, on and around Lake Michigan. What makes this recording special, for me, is the muted tones of the lake when the ice has formed. It sounds completely unique and unlike any other time of the year. It is special, especially with the sporadic ice balls that form along the shore when the conditions are right. These spherical ice formations, ranging from a few i...
2023-02-2630 min
Nature Is My JamThe 2023 Great Backyard Bird CountSend us a textDisclaimer: I didn’t record this episode deep in the forest or on a deserted stretch of beach. I spent the weekend in my backyard, taking part in the 2023 Great Backyard Bird Count. Temperatures ranged from the mid-20s (F) into the high-40s over the weekend. The wind was BRUTAL, with gusts hitting 30 miles per hour. This is not a clean recording, but it accurately reflects the conditions in which I found myself during this event.As a birding enthusiast and a self-proclaimed citizen scientist, I am taking part in th...
2023-02-2022 min
Nature Is My JamA Morning on Otter Creek with a Raft of DucksSend us a textI would like to thank everyone that has donated or otherwise supported Nature is my Jam by liking, following, sharing and/or subscribing to the podcast. Your support goes directly to creating future episodes and allows this podcast to be ad-free and 100% listener supported. Your kindness means the world to me and I hope you might feel inspired to explore the natural areas where you live.A fairly short recording this week, but it is time well spent with a raft of Mallard...
2023-02-0208 min
Nature Is My JamCrash, Stomp and Snort: A Night in the ForestSend us a textI would like to thank everyone that has donated or otherwise supported Nature is my Jam by liking, following, sharing and/or subscribing to the podcast. Your support goes directly to creating future episodes and allows this podcast to be ad-free and 100% listener supported. Your kindness means the world to me and I hope you might feel inspired to explore the natural areas where you live.“If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it ma...
2023-01-2721 min
Nature Is My JamMoody Lake Michigan Day at Leelanau State ParkSend us a textI would like to thank everyone that has donated or otherwise supported Nature is my Jam by liking, following, sharing and/or subscribing to the podcast. Your support goes directly to creating future episodes and allows this podcast to be ad-free and 100% listener supported. Your kindness means the world to me and I hope you might feel inspired to explore the natural areas where you live.Captain’s Log, Stardate 100646.84. It has been weeks since the sun has appeared on this planet. A co...
2023-01-1940 min
Nature Is My JamRed Fox Activity at NightSend us a textI would like to thank everyone that has donated or otherwise supported Nature is my Jam by liking, following, sharing and/or subscribing to the podcast. Your support goes directly to creating future episodes and allows this podcast to be ad-free and 100% listener supported. Your kindness means the world to me and I hope you might feel inspired to explore the natural areas where you live.I hesitate to call this week’s recording an episode because it is, shall we say, brief? I...
2023-01-1201 min
Nature Is My JamIce and Sleet on the Platte RiverSend us a textI would like to thank everyone that has donated or otherwise supported Nature is my Jam by liking, following, sharing and/or subscribing to the podcast. Your support goes directly to creating future episodes and allows this podcast to be ad-free and 100% listener supported. Your kindness means the world to me and I hope you might feel inspired to explore the natural areas where you live.Welcome to Season Two of the Nature is my Jam podcast! 2023 is finally here, and the year...
2023-01-0532 min
Nature Is My JamSeason One Retrospective: Thank You!Send us a textI would like to thank everyone that has donated or otherwise supported Nature is my Jam by liking, following, sharing and/or subscribing to the podcast. Your support goes directly to creating future episodes and allows this podcast to be ad-free and 100% listener supported. Your kindness means the world to me and I hope you might feel inspired to explore the natural areas where you live.By most measures, 2022 was not kind. I still can’t bring myself to talk about it, but my...
2022-12-2934 min
Nature Is My JamSounds of Sleeping Bear Dunes: The Calm Before The StormSend us a textMay the closeness of friends and the comfort of home renew your spirits this holiday season. I would like to thank everyone that has donated or otherwise supported Nature is my Jam by liking, following, sharing and/or subscribing to the podcast. Your support goes directly to creating future episodes and allows this podcast to be ad-free and 100% listener supported. Your kindness means the world to me and I hope you might feel inspired to explore the natural areas where you live.
2022-12-2240 min
Nature Is My JamSounds of Northern Michigan: A Blustery Day on Empire BluffSend us a textI would like to thank everyone that has donated or otherwise supported Nature is my Jam by liking, following, sharing and/or subscribing to the podcast. Your support goes directly to creating future episodes and allows this podcast to be ad-free and 100% listener supported. Your kindness means the world to me and I hope you might feel inspired to explore the natural areas where you live.Summary:Welcome to episode 27 of the Nature is my Jam podcast. Winter in...
2022-12-1522 min
Nature Is My JamA Big Wind on Otter CreekSend us a textI would like to thank everyone that has donated or otherwise supported Nature is my Jam by liking, following, sharing and/or subscribing to the podcast. Your support goes directly to creating future episodes and allows this podcast to be ad-free and 100% listener supported. Your kindness means the world to me and I hope you might feel inspired to explore the natural areas where you live.Summary:Welcome to episode 26 of the Nature is my Jam podcast. As always...
2022-12-0125 min
Nature Is My JamSounds of Sleeping Bear Dunes: Otter Creek TributarySend us a textAs we enter a long holiday weekend in the United States, I have spent a lot of time thinking about gratitude and growth. 2022 has been an especially “not great” year for my family. We lost three beloved pets, have dealt with health issues and had to navigate an early retirement after losing my job in a career that spanned 25 years. By any measure, that’s a lot to deal with and I’m happy to say that I think we have handled it well. We will forever miss our pets, but it warmed our hear...
2022-11-2530 min
Nature Is My JamSounds of Sleeping Bear Dunes: Tranquility Interrupted on Otter CreekSend us a textI would like to thank everyone that has donated or otherwise supported Nature is my Jam by liking, following, sharing and/or subscribing to the podcast. Your support goes directly to creating future episodes and allows this podcast to be ad-free and 100% listener supported. Your kindness means the world to me and I hope you might feel inspired to explore the natural areas where you live.Welcome to episode 24 of the Nature is my Jam podcast! As always, I’m happy to see yo...
2022-11-1730 min
Nature Is My JamSounds of Sleeping Bear Dunes: Beavers at Otter LakeSend us a textI would like to thank everyone that has donated or otherwise supported Nature is my Jam by liking, following, sharing and/or subscribing to the podcast. Your support goes directly to creating future episodes and allows this podcast to be ad-free and 100% listener supported. Your kindness means the world to me and I hope you might feel inspired to explore the natural areas where you live.Welcome to episode 23 of the Nature is my Jam podcast! As always, I’m happy to see yo...
2022-11-1130 min
Nature Is My JamSounds of Mexico: Birdsong on the Yucatan PeninsulaSend us a textI would like to thank everyone that has donated or otherwise supported Nature is my Jam by liking, following, sharing and/or subscribing to the podcast. Your support goes directly to creating future episodes and allows this podcast to be ad-free and 100% listener supported. Your kindness means the world to me and I hope you might feel inspired to explore the natural areas where you live.What does one do when visiting Mexico on a family vacation? If you’re me, then I su...
2022-11-0430 min
Nature Is My JamSounds of Northern Michigan: On the Banks of Twenty-Two CreekSend us a textI would like to thank everyone that has donated or otherwise supported Nature is my Jam by liking, following, sharing and/or subscribing to the podcast. Your support goes directly to creating future episodes and allows this podcast to be ad-free and 100% listener supported. Your kindness means the world to me and I hope you might feel inspired to explore the natural areas where you live.This episode is for a friend that is fighting the occasional sleepless night. The last episode (wind...
2022-10-2735 min
Nature Is My JamSounds of Northern Michigan: A Dark and Stormy Night in the the WoodsSend us a textI would like to thank everyone that has donated or otherwise supported Nature is my Jam by liking, following, sharing and/or subscribing to the podcast. Your support goes directly to creating future episodes and allows this podcast to be ad-free and 100% listener supported. Your kindness means the world to me and I hope you might feel inspired to explore the natural areas where you live.Welcome to episode 20 of the Nature is my Jam podcast! We are 5 months into this journey and...
2022-10-2033 min
Nature Is My JamSounds of Old Mission Peninsula: Rainy Night in the WoodsSend us a textI would like to thank everyone that has donated or otherwise supported Nature is my Jam by liking, following, sharing and/or subscribing to the podcast. Your support goes directly to creating future episodes and allows this podcast to be ad-free and 100% listener supported. Your kindness means the world to me and I hope you might feel inspired to explore the natural areas where you live.Welcome to episode 19 of the Nature is my Jam podcast! We find ourselves out on the Old...
2022-10-1335 min
Nature Is My JamSounds of Whitefish Point: Storm Waves on Lake SuperiorSend us a textI would like to thank everyone that has donated or otherwise supported Nature is my Jam by liking, following, sharing and/or subscribing to the podcast. Your support goes directly to creating future episodes and allows this podcast to be ad-free and 100% listener supported. Your kindness means the world to me and I hope you might feel inspired to explore the natural areas where you live.Whitefish Point is in Chippewa County in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (U.P.) It is home to th...
2022-10-0628 min
Nature Is My JamSounds of Leelanau County: Yellowthroats, Hawks, Woodpeckers, Chickadees and Warblers!!Send us a textI would like to thank everyone that has donated or otherwise supported Nature is my Jam by liking, following, sharing and/or subscribing to the podcast. Your support goes directly to creating future episodes and allows this podcast to be ad-free and 100% listener supported. Your kindness means the world to me and I hope you might feel inspired to explore the natural areas where you live.My recordings from the upper peninsula are not useable because some type of critter thought it would...
2022-09-3024 min
Nature Is My JamSounds of Lake Superior: Crisp Point Beach and LighthouseSend us a textI would like to thank everyone that has donated or otherwise supported Nature is my Jam by liking, following, sharing and/or subscribing to the podcast. Your support goes directly to creating future episodes and allows this podcast to be ad-free and 100% listener supported. Your kindness means the world to me and I hope you might feel inspired to explore the natural areas where you live.Welcome to the 16th episode of the Nature is my Jam Podcast. As this episode gets published...
2022-09-2224 min
Nature Is My JamSounds of Leelanau Peninsula: Open Meadow with Owls and Coyotes!Send us a textI would like to thank everyone that has donated or otherwise supported Nature is my Jam by liking, following, sharing and/or subscribing to the podcast. Your support goes directly to creating future episodes and allows this podcast to be ad-free and 100% listener supported. Your kindness means the world to me and I hope you might feel inspired to explore the natural areas where you live.Welcome to the 15th episode of the Nature is my Jam Podcast. When this episode gets published, I will be in the upper peninsula of...
2022-09-1535 min
Nature Is My JamSounds of Leelanau Peninsula: Lighthouse West Natural AreaSend us a textI would like to thank everyone that has donated or otherwise supported Nature is my Jam by liking, following, sharing and/or subscribing to the podcast. Your support goes directly to creating future episodes and allows this podcast to be ad-free and 100% listener supported. Your kindness means the world to me and I hope you might feel inspired to explore the natural areas where you live.Welcome to the 14th episode of the Nature is my Jam Podcast. Based on feedback from last week’s episode (and trust me, you had a...
2022-09-0835 min
Nature Is My JamSounds of Leelanau Peninsula: Lighthouse West Natural AreaI would like to thank everyone that has donated or otherwise supported Nature is my Jam by liking, following, sharing and/or subscribing to the podcast. Your support goes directly to creating future episodes and allows this podcast to be ad-free and 100% listener supported. Your kindness means the world to me and I hope you might feel inspired to explore the natural areas where you live.Welcome to the 14th episode of the Nature is my Jam Podcast. Based on feedback from last week’s episode (and trust me, you had a lot of feedback!), we need a...
2022-09-0833 min
Nature Is My JamSounds of Perch Lake: The Mesmerizing Persistence of the Eastern Whip-poor-willSend us a textI would like to thank everyone that has donated or otherwise supported Nature is my Jam by liking, following, sharing and/or subscribing to the podcast. Your support goes directly to creating future episodes and allows this podcast to be ad-free and 100% listener supported. Your kindness means the world to me and I hope you might feel inspired to explore the natural areas where you live.Welcome to the 13th episode of the Nature is my Jam Podcast. This week we are, once again, on the shores of Perch Lake in...
2022-09-0121 min
Nature Is My JamSounds of Old Mission Peninsula: Coyotes and Owls at the Old Mission Lighthouse ParkSend us a textI would like to thank everyone that has donated or otherwise supported Nature is my Jam by liking, following, sharing and/or subscribing to the podcast. Your support goes directly to creating future episodes and allows this podcast to be ad-free and 100% listener supported. Your kindness means the world to me and I hope you might feel inspired to explore the natural areas where you live.Welcome to the 12th episode of the Nature is my Jam Podcast! This week we are taking in the hiking trails and beautiful geography of...
2022-08-2530 min
Nature Is My JamSunset at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - Gentle Waves on the Beach: A Different PerspectiveSend us a textQuick Note: I am on my way to Houston, Texas to help a friend pick up his new overlanding trailer. Our annual camping trip had to be postponed, so we used the time to make a road trip from Michigan to Texas. I’m taking my camera and a recorder, but I’m guessing that chances will be slim that I will have time to do any recording. Fingers crossed.Welcome to the 11th episode of the Nature is my Jam Podcast! We are still at the Peterson Road Beach at Slee...
2022-08-1825 min
Nature Is My JamSounds of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - Gentle Waves on the Beach at SunsetSend us a textI would like to thank everyone that has donated or otherwise supported Nature is my Jam by liking, following, sharing and/or subscribing to the podcast. Your support goes directly to creating future episodes and allows this podcast to be ad-free and 100% listener supported. Your kindness means the world to me and I hope you might feel inspired to explore the natural areas where you live.Welcome to the 10th episode of the Nature is my Jam Podcast! The weather has been a mix of rain and wind for days and...
2022-08-1130 min
Nature Is My JamSounds of the North Country Trail: Nocturnal Wildlife or Things That Purr in the NightSend us a textWelcome to the 9th episode of the Nature is my Jam Podcast! I have been spending a lot of time hiking sections of the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCT) that are near my house. This episode finds us next to an unnamed lake that sits between Guernsey Lake and the Sand Lakes area in Grand Traverse County, Michigan. This is a very cool section of trail because it intersects with the Sand Lakes Quiet Area Pathway and the Kalkaska to Traverse City Trail (K to TC Trail), which combines several trails to...
2022-08-0423 min
Nature Is My JamWindy Night at Sleeping Bear Dunes National LakeshoreSend us a textI would like to thank everyone that has donated or otherwise supported Nature is my Jam by liking, following, sharing and/or subscribing to the podcast. Your support goes directly to creating future episodes and allows this podcast to be ad-free and 100% listener supported. Your kindness means the world to me and I hope you might feel inspired to explore the natural areas where you live. The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore offers a plethora of recreational opportunities…. Hiking, birding, camping, sand dunes, rolling hills, deep woods, wildlife, ghost towns and th...
2022-07-2833 min
Nature Is My JamValley of the Giants at DawnSend us a textI would like to thank everyone that has donated or otherwise supported Nature is my Jam by liking, following, sharing and/or subscribing to the podcast. Your support goes directly to creating future episodes and allows this podcast to be ad-free and 100% listener supported. Your kindness means the world to me and I hope you might feel inspired to explore the natural areas where you live. World Listening Day found me logging miles on the North Country Scenic Trail (NCT) on my way to the aptly named, “Valley of the Giants”. This...
2022-07-2132 min
Nature Is My JamDawn Chorus at Perch LakeSend us a textDate & Time: | 6/10/2022 | 5:00 AMLocation: | Traverse City, Michigan USALandscape/Feature: | Perch LakeConditions: | Clear, Light Wind, CoolRecording Device: | Zoom H5 Handy RecorderMicrophone: | DIY SASS Microphone using EM272’sDigital Audio Workstation: | Adobe AuditionI would like to thank everyone that has donated or otherwise supported Nature is my Jam by liking, following, sharing and/or subscribing to the podcast. Your support goes directly to creating future episodes and allows this podcast to be ad-free and 100% listener supported. Your kindness means the world to me...
2022-07-1455 min
Nature Is My JamEvening Wetlands Recording at Muncie Lakes Pathway and North Country Scenic Trail IntersectionSend us a textNorthern Michigan suffers an embarrassment of riches with access to natural resources and trail systems. Where I live is no exception. Just a few miles from my house, the prolific North Country Scenic Trail intersects with a local trail called the Muncie Lakes Pathway. I like to call this area a “pick your own adventure” waiting to happen. Used year-round by locals AND visitors, these trails provide ample recreational opportunities such as cross-country skiing, hiking, mountain bikes, etc. There is also a sister trail for Equestrians that intermingles with the pathway. The N...
2022-07-0626 min
Nature Is My JamWaves Crashing at Fisherman's Island State Park in Charlevoix, MichiganSend us a textThis week I felt a desire to head further north than my home base of Traverse City to explore some areas that I have heard about but have never visited yet. I looked at the map and Charlevoix immediately spoke to me. I know Charlevoix well and my wife and I are always happy to visit, but all of our trips are almost boating related and centered in the downtown area. Today, I visited Fisherman’s Island State Park, which is located right on Lake Michigan and not too far from downtown Charlevoix.
2022-06-2930 minNature Is My JamIs the Sound Glass Half Empty or Half Full? Dawn Recording in My Backyard....Send us a textBeing a person who absolutely loves the sound of nature, I can be a glass half empty or half full, depending on my location and conditions. This week, I think I find myself squarely in the middle of the age-old debate. My weekend recording plan went sideways from the beginning, so I was scrambling yesterday to come up with a recording to share this week. My wife and I spent a few days on the boat and dropped anchor in one of our favorite anchorages, Bowers Harbor, which is on the W...
2022-06-2126 minNature Is My JamOvernight Recording at Perch LakeSend us a textThis is part of an overnight recording from the shore of Perch Lake in Traverse City, Michigan USA. The lake is on forest land owned by the State of Michigan and is very close to the VASA trail system. It is around 2.5 to 3 miles from the nearest paved road, but noise pollution is still present most of the time. This recording has minimal noise pollution as a result of combining two clips from the same night.I recorded this soundscape with the Zoom F6 Field Recorder and the Audio Technica BP 4025...
2022-06-141h 08Nature Is My JamEarly Pre-Dawn Recording of Wetlands Activity along the Muncie Lakes PathwaySend us a textThis soundscape is part of a longer recording that ran overnight along the Muncie Lakes Pathway in Traverse City, Michigan USA on 5/25/2022 around 2:30 AM. In this recording, we are overlooking a wetlands area that looks like a cross between a vernal pool and a swamp. I would guess the area is 25 acres and has a mix of cedar, pine, hardwoods, and long grasses. A hiking trail runs along one side of the area and a two-track dirt road on the other. There is logging in the area but remains a popular hiking trail...
2022-06-0737 min