Listen as the icy river babbles past and relax in the quiet, winter woods.

Listen for the quietness of snow while passing a few animals, hikers, and cars along the Sandy Hansen Shoreline Orange Trail.

The wind is blowing all around as fall transitions into winter on this early November afternoon. 

As the wind blows, the last few leaves on the trees seem to hold on in the winter chill. It’s so quiet and peaceful, making the gentle whisper of the wind more audible. 

Listen for a pair of delicate sounds:

The quiet wind cooling the Michigan air.

The few remaining leaves fluttering against the trees and ground. 

For those who are curious, this episode was recorded on a Sound Device MixPre-6 and Sennheiser MKH 416 Shotgun Mic. 

These are Outdoor Sounds.

The trail is bustling with life, a combination of the chorus of birds, wildlife in the woods, and the fast-paced freeway beside some of the paths. 

Hiking along Millennium Red Trail, a large network of trails that move along lakes and woods, introduces a variety of natural and urban sounds. While the last bit of the trail follows along a main road, the secluded spots house many unique birds and animals. 

Listen for several unique interactions: 

A few deer scared off.

A dozen cranes lounging in a hidden cove.

Paved trails crunching under footsteps.

Many cars driving past at a steady flow.

A couple of hikers walking by.

A swamp from a fairytale where a duck and his wife live.

Branches catching as a tree falls nearby. 

For those curious, today’s sounds were recorded by a Sound Devices MixPre-6 and a DPA 4560 CORE Binaural Headset Mic.

These are a symphony of Outdoor Sounds.

Hike through the crisp sounds of leaves, crickets, passing cars, and a calm creek in these 20 acres hidden away in the woods of Manistee. 

Explore a short, hidden trail along the brush and listen to the sanctuary of birds all around.

Listen to the active sounds of leaves rustling in the wind and birds chirping near the lakeside shore of Orchard Beach State Park.

Listen to water flowing while walking along the boardwalk between nature and a small Michigan town.

Listen as footsteps trek through the woods and gravel, while birds sing with bugs on this sunny evening.

Walk through a world between two on this woodsy trail, sitting in the center of a city where birds and people hum together in busy harmony.