Near the snowline in Turkey
May 23rd, 2010 by andrew skeoch
Wheatears and Snowmelt by Listening Earth
Those of you in the northern hemisphere who have endured a grueling winter will probably be over the novelty of snow. But for us Australians, it is great to be playing in the white stuff for the first time in many years.
We are currently in northeast Turkey, up near the Georgian border, on the snowline in the Pontic Alps. The snow is melting gradually, giving rise to the streams that grow into raging, white-water rivers further down the valleys. Here though, it is a trickle seeping out of the snow pack.
At this altitude, the few birds are either specialists, or adventurous individuals from the nearby coniferous forests. Wheatears are relatively common, feeding on the mossy ground left by the retreating snow. We’ve also seen Snowfinches and Crested Larks picking their way between snow and scree slopes. We’ve yet to see a Lammergeier, but Golden Eagles have been an impressive alternative.
On this recording you can hear the sounds of snowmelt, as a small stream flows out from under the snowpack. Nearby, a Wheatear or two feed and their delicate contact calls are audible.
Established in 1993 by nature sound recordist Andrew Skeoch and photographer Sarah Koschak, Listening Earth offers a range of beautiful nature sound recordings from around the world.
"Our albums feature only the sounds of nature as you would hear in the wild - no music or other distractions. Recorded in often remote and pristine locations, they bring you the relaxing and beautiful sounds of our living planet. Listen, and let our recordings take you there."
Lovely photos and recordings, as usual. That first photograph looks remarkably like a view of our own Mount Feathertop in the Victorian Alpine region; albeit a little rockier in the foreground.
So easy to get caught up in our own little worlds – how amazingly wonderful to be sitting in a kitchen in Australia while dinner is cooking listening to bird and water sounds from what feels to me right now, a very remote and special location. I’m trying to imagine how I could explain this experience to my Great Nana who was born in 1883!! Beautiful.
Great news that you got to have a snow experience! I’m sure it was a treat. Thanks for sharing such great details along your road, in words, sound, and images….
Leonie -
Yes, you’re right, but it is an optical illusion. The forests are firs not snow gums, there are no honeyeaters or parrots here, and the journey to get to this place is not a half day’s drive from Melbourne!
But it’s interesting (we’ve found it so anyway) how when confronted with the unfamiliar, we easily relate it to what we already know; places, plants, even birdsongs.
Andrew