A Big Wind on Otter Creek
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Summary:
Welcome to episode 26 of the Nature is my Jam podcast. As always, I’m happy to welcome you back for another foray into the wilderness to capture the best northern Michigan offers. This week, we are once again on the banks of Otter Creek at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore to record the sound of a big wind as it blows in from Lake Michigan. How windy was it today? So windy that Otter Creek was flowing backwards! This wasn’t the original location for today’s recording, but it turned out to be the best location. I really love the sound of the intense wind. It’s not only a reminder of the power of nature, but a chance to get lost in the wind's sound blowing through the trees with no other sounds to get in its way.
It was a whirlwind of activity to get this episode recorded. I received feedback (very good feedback) that I sometimes take too long to get to the point. I know it but I like to write so I put all the really important stuff at the top this week. If you want to know the rest of the story, then I invite you to continue reading.
The Rest of the Story:
It was going to be an epic beach day!
To prepare for each episode, I keep a constant eye on the weather and conditions to increase the odds of a successful recording. So when I saw the forecast predicting 50MPH winds and waves reaching 8’-9’ on Lake Michigan, I headed back to the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore to capture the action. Armed with a thermos of coffee and two recording locations in mind, I pointed the truck towards the lakeshore while wondering if I left a critical piece of gear behind. Spoiler Alert: I always leave a critical piece of gear behind.
As I arrived at the first location, I got goosebumps when I saw the waves crashing and heard the wind howling. I laughed to myself because I thought I was going to have a problem finding a place to park, but the beach was completely devoid of people. I then heard a tiny voice yelling, “yer off yer heid!” Say hello to my subconscious. He thinks he’s Scottish, and he’s annoying, but I think he had a valid point. Getting out of the truck, blasting sand greeted my exposed face and a feeling that Plan B was going to be the phrase of the day.
The windjammer fur was no match for the wind today!
Stunning scenery near Empire Bluff.
I spent a couple of hours on the beach trying to record in various locations. I spent much of that time with my hands in my pockets because I left my proper gloves at home. I only had a thin pair of liners that I use when setting up the gear before putting on my real gloves. Picture a fool standing with their back to the wind and waves with his hands in his pockets as the weather whoops his ass. That’s me. Hi. I needed that Plan B before I succumbed to frostbite and the bitter taste of defeat.
I knew I had to get off the beach and into the woods to have any chance of recording success. I had a tree marked on my GPS that I noted as “Creaking Tree” the last time I hiked that section of the trail. What better time to record a creaking tree than during a windstorm, right? Well, I’m sad to report that Creaking Tree is now a Fallen Tree. 🫤 I needed a Plan C and something that was close because daylight was quickly fading.
It’s normal to mark ‘creaking tree’ waypoints on a map, right??
Knowing I was close to the beaver lodge from episode 23, I hurried over to Otter Creek and quickly setup my gear. I am freezing, feeling defeated and needing a win. I should never doubt the power of Otter Creek because it delivered another gem of a recording that you are listening to now. The third attempt was the charm and a testament to being flexible and willing to change course instead of stubbornly attempting to make something out of nothing. Until next week! ❤️
Recording Details:
Date and Time: 11/30/2022 | 4:30 PM
Location: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lake Shore
Landscape/Feature: Dense Woodland along the shore of Otter Creek
Conditions: Sunny, Blue Skies, Warm, Breezy
Recording Device: Zoom F3
Microphone(s): Audio Technica BP 4025
Digital Audio Workstation: Adobe Audition
