Ep. 255 : Saturday Morning at McGregor Point

Listening to the land, in a very tangible way, can lead to some pretty special moments. Whether it is Black-capped Chickadees scolding an Eastern Screech Owl, hearing the thunder heralding a powerful storm, or the waves washing up on the beach, the land speaks to us through sound in thousands of ways. We just have to stop and listen.
I brought my recorder with me out to McGregor Point on Naadowewi-gichigami/Lake Huron incase any sounds moved me, and of course, such a big beautiful sea tugged at me in the foggy morning. I had to record.

byron murray 2024-06-03 byron murray 2024-06-03

Ep. 244 : The Call of the Northern Green Frog

For the past few years I have been going out at night in May to record the calls of American Toads and Northern Leopard Frogs by the Eramosa River. I used to live much closer to the river and I could hear the songs from my window at night. When I heard those songs, I knew it was time to go record, and that the radio show that week was going to be the calls of the Anurans.
The problem was that lately, it has been pretty quiet on the home front. Maybe it was a bit too chilly for the Anurans to sing, or the rain has prevented me from bringing my recorders out, lest they get destroyed. But there have also been some really good nights, quite suitable for toad and frog song, but still it was quiet but for the Canada Geese. What was going on?

byron murray 2022-09-05 byron murray 2022-09-05

Ep. 194 : Song of the Night ii

“It was a clear night, and the stars were as visible as they get around this area within the city. I made out Polaris and the Big Dipper earlier while looking for a place to record. I noticed a faint breeze, coming from my neighbourhood blowing down towards the river…”
Just over a year ago I went for a walk along the river by my house and I pressed record and put my recorder down. The first recording was successful in sharing a piece of the night with a broader audience. It captured the Summer with the beauty I was truly hoping for, and so, I tried it again. This time with a little more magic…
Sit back, relax and enjoy the sounds of the night.

byron murray 2021-10-04 byron murray 2021-10-04

Ep. 170 : Early Autumn Update

The seasons are changing and it’s getting a little more obvious everyday. I have been watching life turn over the past couple of weeks and it’s been lovely. I went out on Saturday, sat under a Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum), and watched the wind move through the grass.
This weeks show I try my best to share what I have been learning about in regards to my local landbase, as well as trying to remember some of the highlights from my lost interview with Olivia Messinger Carril and Joseph S. Wilson about their book Common Bees of Eastern North America. It wasn’t the same, but it was ok. And the book is still just as good. I am grateful for that.

byron murray 2021-08-23 byron murray 2021-08-23

Ep. 166 : Song of the night

For most of my life I have enjoyed biking and walking through the trails at night. There is a special beauty that glows faintly at night and I have longed to share that with friends ever since I was old enough to spend the night out by myself. It took me by surprise when I realized that others couldn’t get out as I did. They held back by more than subtle threats and stories told to keep folks in their place.
The show this week is about sharing the sounds I came across recently on late night forays down to the river by my house and in my backyard. I recorded these in hopes to offer them as chances to participate in the space of the night for folks who can’t get out there for whatever reasons.
I hope you enjoy.