Sounds Southern

Recorded on August 28, 2026 at the dogtrot, this is the sound of a late-summer morning chorus as the first wave of Ruby-throated Hummingbird migration brings a growing charm of hummingbirds to Heart Place. Listeners will hear the whir of their wings and chatter of their calls as they dart among the fall-blooming plants and feeders. Joining the morning chorus are Killdeer, Carolina Wren, Gray Catbird, White-breasted Nuthatch, Red-shouldered Hawk, Summer Tanager, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Blue Jay, American Crow, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Northern Cardinal, Carolina Chickadee, Yellow-throated Vireo, Pileated Woodpecker and Eastern Bluebird.

Recorded on August 26, 2026 on the sleeping porch, this is the sound of a late-summer night chorus while the Night-blooming Cereus, also known as Queen of the Night, is in bloom. Insect musicians chirp, click, zip, rattle and lisp through in the humid landscape as the flower opens for the night. Though the Night-blooming Cereus is a tropical plant, it has an interesting place in Southern culture. In the 1930s, Eudora Welty, one of the recordist’s favorite authors, formed the Night-Blooming Cereus Club, gathering with friends for late-night watch parties on her porch when the plant came into bloom.

Recorded on August 21, 2026 on the sleeping porch, this is the sound of a late-summer thunderstorm breaking a weeklong heat wave. Big thunderheads build at sundown, sending rolling thunder across the hill country followed by brilliant flashes of lightning watched from the shelter of the dogtrot sleeping porch. Sounds Southern Extended listeners will hear an hour of this rich summer storm as rolling thunder and rain on the metal roof & rain drum gradually fade into evening cricket chirps and the steady dripfall from towering oaks in the pasture.

Recorded on August 16, 2026 at the dogtrot, this is the sound of a summer morning in the middle of an August heat wave. The steady trill of field crickets provides a backdrop for the morning chorus, with Eastern Wood-Pewee, American Crow, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Tufted Titmouse, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Blue Jay, White-breasted Nuthatch, Eastern Kingbird, Barn Swallow, Carolina Wren and Mourning Dove.This recording is best heard in a quiet setting perfect for meditating or a moment of stillness.

Recorded on August 12, 2026 on the Way Out West Deck, this is the sound of a nighttime insect chorus beneath the Perseid meteor shower and a dark new moon sky. The rhythmic chorus of crickets and katydids fills the summer night, creating a gentle lullaby well suited for relaxing, meditating or drifting off to sleep.

Recorded on August 7, 2026 on the sleeping porch at the dogtrot, this is the sound of a late afternoon pop-up thundershower, one of those sudden Mississippi summer storms born from the heat of an August afternoon. Listeners will hear approaching thunderclouds followed by increasing rain falling softly on the metal roof and onto the rain drum. A soothing summer storm, perfect for relaxing or clearing the mind.

Recorded on August 8, 2026 at the dogtrot, this is the sound of late-summer dawn as blue hour gives way to first light. After an evening of rainshowers, the morning begins cool and dewy, with the first birdsong rising through the pasture and garden.A charm of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds takes center stage with the males’ monotonous dawn chip calls, rapid sputtering zeeekididid chase calls and the whir of their wings. Beneath it all, crickets provide a steady trill as the morning chorus builds with Blue Grosbeak, White-breasted Nuthatch, Eastern Wood-Pewee, American Crow, House Finch, Indigo Bunting, Blue Jay, Carolina Wren, Red-shouldered Hawk, Northern Cardinal, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, House Sparrow, Eastern Bluebird, Great Crested Flycatcher, Downy Woodpecker, Mourning Dove and Red-bellied Woodpecker.

Recorded on July 26, 2026 at Wall Doxey State Park in Holly Springs, this is the sound of a summer night chorus of insects and amphibians. The stars of the night are a colony of Green Frogs with their explosive glunk calls, the long, buzzing beeeeeeeeeeee of Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toads and the distant, high whistles of Bird-voiced Treefrogs. Beneath their voices, katydids, cicadas and crickets weave a constant summer drone. Sounds Southern Extended listeners will hear an hour of this green noise, suited for quiet meditation or drifting off to sleep.