Hi Bernie,
The difference in density between freshwater and saltwater might affect tim=
bre slightly, though I have not tried to discern.
Besides density, most of the "permutations" you mention are dependent on cl=
imatic variables that will affect sound signatures in complex and temporal =
ways, making some locations highly audibly distinctive through time while w=
ashing out the distinctiveness of other locations. Even beach rake (profile=
) can be a highly temporal variable, changing season to season or over mult=
i-year cycles.
Bernie, how do you determine what references are known and repeatable, espe=
cially if you are recording a location for the very first time?
John Hartog
--- In Bernie Krause <> wrote:
>
> Wave intensity and periodicity also timbre, John. All different at
> each site. Since 1979, all my recordings are calibrated to known and
> repeatable references so I've got a base-line reference and something =
> to compare to. I haven't "studied" this phenomenon. And there are so
> many permutations (air temperature, wind, swells, wave height,
> current, beach rake, salinity, and so many other factors) that it
> would be great fun to get a better handle on what may well be
> something else to note in our lovely sonosphere. My guess is that
> Coney Island is as distinctive as the beach at Big Sur.
>
> Bernie
>
>
> On Jun 20, 2009, at 7:35 PM, John Hartog wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > Hi Bernie,
> >
> > First you compare different aspects of each location - (geophysical) =
> > freshwater waves to (ecological) saltwater coastal habitat, which is =
> > a little confusing. But it seems you are suggesting the physical
> > differences between fresh and salt water also result in unique sound =
> > signatures. Biological aside, 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 <chirp@>
> > 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
> > > chirp@
> > > Google Earth zooms: http://earth.wildsanctuary.com
> > > SKYPE: biophony
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
>
> 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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