Outdoor columnist Dan Geddings: The beauty of sound

The southwestern sky was darkened by an approaching storm, and in the distance, I could hear the soft rumble of thunder. The air was cool, and a soft breeze rustled the tall grass around me. I stood out in the open looking at the clouds, feeling the wind and listening to the storm approach. The piercing crack and thunderous boom of a nearby bolt of lightning startled me, but I lingered. I love the sounds of a summer storm. The rain, when it came, made its own roaring sound that drowned out all others.

That morning when I walked across the land, I stopped often to listen to the quail. They called in every direction. The Bobwhite whistle is a very beautiful and distinctive sound. It is clear and crisp and a treat for the ear. It can be heard for long distances. The land that we have acquired is covered with them, and I am delighted. I will do everything I can to keep them there.

The doves are nesting now, and their mournful cooing can be heard throughout the day. It is a soft and soothing sound. It is hard to tell where it is coming from or how far away it might be. It, too, adds a special beauty to the landscape.

The songbirds are most vocal at dawn. Their whistles and chirps and various other calls combine to make a symphony of song. The beauty of their calls is phenomenal. It makes a springtime woodland complete. Other birds add to the mix.

Owls and crows are also vocal in the early hours. The owl hoots are soft and haunting. They also make a variety of other calls that are unusual and distinct. Those calls are delivered in an unexpected manner. Some would say screeches or squeals. The uniqueness renders them beautiful. I cannot describe them. They must be heard to be appreciated. Crows are another matter. Their common call is a simple caw-caw, but they have an amazing variety of soft vocalizations that are unexpected and unique. When you hear them, you would not guess - crow.

The woods also produce beautiful sounds. Trees rub against each other in the wind, and some produce squeaks and groans. The branches sway and swoosh around in the sky. The wind in the pines makes a soft and pleasant sound. The most unusual sound that one will ever hear in a woodland is silence. It doesn't happen regularly, but it, too, is beautiful in its own way.

Creeks and rivers make beautiful sounds. A small brook through the woods will tinkle and gurgle over small waterfalls created by roots and logs. The sound is small and does not carry far. You must be close. A larger creek with more flow can create a bigger sound that can be heard farther away. A river can produce sounds most readily by the strength of the current and the number of snags and other obstructions, but it is mostly silent. Moving by with no sound.

On the Edisto, my son, Clayton, and I sat in the boat and watched a limb sway back and forth in the current. It produced a different sound with each movement. The black water lapped softly against the side of the boat. It was a natural and soothing sound. I wondered if the fish could hear it, too.

One of the most unusual and beautiful sounds is the call of the cranes. Sandhill cranes are not common here but do visit on their migrations. They are very vocal, and the calls can be heard at great distances. The calls are a melody of wildness and wonder. There is no other way to describe it. If you ever hear them, you will never forget.

There are many, many other beautiful sounds in nature, and the best way to hear them is to get out there and listen, even if it is only in your own back yard.

Email Dan Geddings at cdgeddings@gmail.com.