This week we’re trying something different. As you might have noticed, we sometimes like to try new things. We like to stretch our wings a little. But we get it, change might not be your thing. That’s okay. Sometimes we need time to adjust. So if you aren’t into this week’s style of podcast, that’s okay. Come back next week, when we promise, we’ll return to our usual broadcasting format. ;)

Today is Earth Day. Instead of talking about whatever, we decided to let the earth, and nature, do the talking. By collecting audio clips over the last week or two, we’ve compiled a little listening journey through some local nature spots.

If you notice, though, even when deep in the woods, or in the middle of a park or beach, the sounds of humans crash through the reverie. Someone is jackhammering next to a park, someone is building something, and then there’s often the constant drone of vehicles. This isn’t a rant against any of those. It is cause, however, for wondering how can we escape the noise and hustle and bustle, when it’s all around us? We have Dark Sky parks (not enough of them!), is there a way to have Quiet parks? Just some thoughts to consider.

So sit back and relax, and take a listen to some sounds of earth and nature. WARNING: the first 3 clips are loud, so we suggest that you turn down your volume initially and adjust accordingly.

Wednesday’s windstorm blowing through the trees on the top of Mt Tolmie

During this week’s storm, the wind was louder than the waves at Island View Beach

Little birds in trees and hedges in a Saanich neighbourhood

Crows taking a bath in Bowker Creek in Oak Bay! That’s the splashing and flapping sounds you hear

In the forest next to a quiet part of Graham Creek in Centennial Park in Saanichton, and some quiet birds

A bubbling section of the Bowker Creek tributary, in Cedar Hill Park

A burbling section of the same creek with a variety of birds in the background

A woodpecker and other birds in the copse in Cedar Hill Park, off Ocean View Rd

Waves and birds on the beach at Cadboro Bay

Birds in a forest at Saanichton

Birds in a tree in Gyro Park

Ducks in a pond and birds in the hedgerow, next to Gyro Park

Waves and birds and a jackhammer at Caddy Bay Beach

Rain falling on a shed, and on a window frame leaning nearby, Saanich

Birds and creek at Cedar Hill Park, next to the ball diamond

Finally, what could be more appropriate than making sounds on the EARTH DRUMS? Located at Cedar Hill Park, the 3 large “box drums”, by artist and carver Carey Newman, are intended to be played with the hand, and create reverberations below human hearing that resonate into the ground, making music of, and for, the earth.

Happy Earth Day.