Sounds of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore: Gentle Waves on the Beach at Sunset
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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 life has been hectic, so I welcomed the promise of a beach sunset to reset my soul. The Peterson Road Beach at Sleeping Bear Dunes in one of my favorite beaches, so without hesitation, I loaded up my gear and made the 45 minute drive to my secret parking spot. I love beaches but hate walking on sand with a backpack, so found a spur trail that avoids most of the sand and gets me to a spot that is usually void of people. Note: My secret parking spot isn’t all that secret. A park ranger visited my Jeep and left a gentle reminder to always display my annual pass on the dashboard. I have an annual pass but always forget to place it on the dashboard. Sorry!
Park at the end of Aral Lodge Rd and take the spur trail that intersects with Platte Plains Trail loop. It is only a mile from the marked parking area.
I arrived late in the afternoon and hiked the scant mile to my favorite section of beach. As I started my hike, I noticed a Trumpeter Swan casually eating and swimming in that graceful manner that belies their sheer size and strength. While swans have a reputation for being aggressive, I have never witnessed this trait in them. Instead, they seem indifferent to humans and appear to coexist with others in their environment. This swan was not worried about me in the slightest and let me take a few photos before I resumed my hike. As luck would have it, I didn’t have my 500mm lens, but I could still get close enough without upsetting him.
A Trumpeter Swan enjoying a warm afternoon
Except for a family gathering about a half mile away, I had the entire stretch of beach to myself. I brought the Zoom F6 and the Audio Technica BP 4025 to record the waves as they rolled in to the shore. It was a far cry from the week before where I witnessed 4-6’ waves crashing the beach and sand stinging my exposed skin. I also brought the Zoom F3 and the Lom Geofón microphone to experiment with recording the seismic activity of the wave motion. I stayed at the beach until midnight and loved every minute. As the sun went down, the waves also settled down and fell into a gentle rhythm.
I know I say this every week, but I think this is one of my favorite recordings. The full recording is 3 hours, but this episode captures the character of the evening spent on the beach in just 30 minutes. This is great for headphones, as you can hear the subtle differences between the left and right channels and the individual sounds as the water hits the sand. It’s mesmerizing and, if I dare say, a perfect way to fall asleep. Let me know your thoughts and if you’d like me to upload the entire recording.
Once the sun went down, the temperature quickly dropped, and I pulled my arms into my shirt to keep warm, but there was no way I was leaving just yet. I felt at peace and at one with the moment. Sitting on a log that had washed ashore in a previous storm, I thought back over the last few months and noted some important milestones.
Having my position eliminated in a career in which I spent 25 years working my ass off. And yes, position elimination is a fancy term for getting fired.
Deciding to retire from a career spent in information security and risk management rather than dealing with the corporate winds and mediocre leaders. There are two types of leaders that I detest; bullies and cowards. I had the misfortune of working for both in my last position.
Finding the courage to not settle with the status quo. It would have been laughably easy to find a new position within a week and probably the safe bet. I felt done with being safe. It was time to walk away from a career I truly loved for nearly three decades.
Knowing I had the full support of my wife and the financial means to retire, I took a leap towards my passion of photography, sound and film to explore the possibilities that laid before me.
Starting a decidedly non-traditional podcast that focuses on natural soundscapes rather than spoken word.
As I took stock of everything that had changed since February, I am genuinely happy with my decision. I get to spend hours in the outdoors and I am learning new skills daily. The world of field recording and podcasting is welcoming and without pretense. I am making new friends and contacts and without exception, every person I have engaged with has been kind and generous with their time and encouragement. I would not change the last 6 months for anything. I miss the people I left behind at work, but I don’t miss the politics or the ineptitude of my supposed leaders. I’m happy. I’m well. I’m grateful for this opportunity to try new things without fear.
How’s that for the power of sunsets and waves to reset one’s soul? : ) I think this is a perfect end to this blog post. Being in nature is therapy for me and has always been part of my mental wellness routine. I hope you can get outside and if you can’t, then I sincerely hope you find peace and wellness in this recording.
Recording Summary:
Date and Time: 8/9/2022 | 9:15 PM
Location: Benzie County, Michigan, USA
Landscape/Feature: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore | Peterson Road Beach
Conditions: Sunny, Warm, Gentle Wind
Recording Device: Zoom F6 Field Recorder
Microphone(s): Audio Technica BP 4025
Digital Audio Workstation: Adobe Audition
