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unique sound signatures of locations

Subject: unique sound signatures of locations
From: "John Hartog" hartogj
Date: Sat Jun 20, 2009 7:39 pm ((PDT))
Hi Bernie,

First you compare different aspects of each location - (geophysical) freshw=
ater waves to (ecological) saltwater coastal habitat, which is a little con=
fusing.  But it seems you are suggesting the physical differences between f=
resh and salt water also result in unique sound signatures.  Biological asi=
de, given two beaches of similar composition and profile, one saltwater and=
 the other freshwater, what specific differences might one expect to hear?=


John Hartog


--- In  Bernie Krause <> wrote:
>
> Lovely shots and clips, Curt. What is especially remarkable is the
> distinctive ambience of fresh water waves as compared to those of salt =

> water coastal habitats. The periodicity of the waves (fresh water or
> salt - storm or calm) is always unique, as are the pitch and timbre.
> When comparing sites, it is even possible to anticipate the soundscape =

> from the rake of beaches. The signatures from each site are clearly
> incomparable.
>
> I can't help with the bird ID, though.
>
> Bernie
>
>
> On Jun 20, 2009, at 12:34 PM, Curt Olson wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > Folks,
> >
> > About a month ago, I was making a shoreline recording at a sheltered
> > bay on the North Shore of Lake Superior. The place is called Pebble
> > Beach, the location for most of the classic photos of Split Rock
> > Lighthouse, an historic Minnesota icon.
> >
> > Here's my own version of the classic/cliche photo, taken last summer:
> >
> > http://www.trackseventeen.com/images/DSCF3552_2.jpg
> >
> > Here's another view of the bay, taken the day of my recording last
> > month, from shore off the left side of the photo above:
> >
> > http://www.trackseventeen.com/images/DSCF4695_2.jpg
> >
> > While I was recording, a smallish bird of prey swooped into view and
> > landed in a tree branch about 20 feet above my mic rig. It perched
> > there for a minute or so, then flew down and landed on the pebbles
> > about 20 feet in front of my mics. I didn't have binoculars with me,
> > so I don't have much detail to work with. This bird was slightly
> > smaller than a crow. It did not seem to perch straight up and down
> > like a buteo, but rather slightly forward. After checking my bird
> > books, my best guess is that it might have been a Merlin. Here's a
> > 3:05 segment of the recording. Does it's call give any clues?
> >
> > http://www.trackseventeen.com/soundblog/x090507c-pebble_beach.mp3
> >
> > Some of the background sounds in this clip include a 2-3' surf hitting
> > rocks a couple hundred yards away, toward the right, and some gusty
> > winds in the surrounding cedar and pine trees. (Unfortunately, you can
> > also hear some wind disturbance in my mics.) And there might be some
> > rumble from a heavily used state highway about 1/4 mile back from the
> > lake.
> >
> > Thank you in advance for any input on this!
> >
> > Curt Olson
> >
> >
>
> Wild Sanctuary
> POB 536
> Glen Ellen, CA 95442
> 707-996-6677
> http://www.wildsanctuary.com
> 
> Google Earth zooms: http://earth.wildsanctuary.com
> SKYPE: biophony
>
>
>
>
>
>
>








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