“Nature is the song of praise that never stops singing.” ~Richard Rohr
As summer fades into autumn, we often reflect on the season’s defining characteristics. This past summer, marked by relentless heat waves, soaring humidity, and an unusual scarcity of rain, may not be one we will long to revisit. Yet, amid these harsh conditions, one aspect of summer’s charm was quietly captivating for me — the familiar “country road serenade” which filled the air during our evening walks. This music both tickled the ears and was comforting to the soul.
The soundscape of summer is rich and complex – ever present in the background but often overlooked. Cicadas buzzing, crickets chirping, bees humming, along with countless other insects, creating a natural orchestra that blends in with the frog croaks, bird chirps and even the rustle of the wind. Yet, these sounds are more than mere background noise; they evoke a sense of connection to nature and offer a soothing, restorative experience for those who pause to listen.
Nature’s music, accompanied by the beautiful visual effects of butterflies floating through the air and alighting upon an assortment of vibrant wildflowers, blue birds gossiping on telephone lines and house martins and bats swooping through the air, all enhance and compliment the performance.
As summer fades and temperatures drop, this familiar symphony has begun to wane. The insects are retreating, the frogs growing quiet, and some of the birds migrating for the season. What has replaced this lively soundtrack is a surprising stillness that feels eerily quiet.
Though we may not regret leaving behind the oppressive heat and humidity, the gradual disappearance of these natural sounds reminds us of the subtle beauty in the details of each season. Nature’s chorus, short-lived yet enchanting, is a treasured memory of summer’s presence. As we bid farewell to this acoustic combination, we anticipate the distinct sounds and sensations that autumn will bring, embracing change as an essential part of the natural cycle.
Below is a sampling of our country road seranade:
“I listen to the summer symphony outside my window. Truthfully, it’s not a symphony at all. There’s no tune, no melody, only the same notes over and over. Chirps and tweets and trills and burples. It’s as if the insect orchestra is forever tuning its instruments, forever waiting for the maestro to tap his baton and bring them to order. I, for one, hope the maestro never comes. I love the music mess of it.” ~Jerry Spinelli
Love the sounds of nature,…..sounds like home.
I do not know why but I couldn’t get any audio for the bee video?
Thanks Rebecca!
Thanks, Wayne. The cicadas drowned out the bee hums so I decided not to use the sound. In another bee video that I took, the wind in the microphone was loud. I really enjoy watching the bees from afar. They are such interesting little insects.
Oh, I didn’t know the Cicada’s were coming out this year?
Watching bees from afar sounds wise!
These are annual cicadas which are active in Tennessee from July to early fall, not the periodical (13-year or 17-year) cicadas. You can see a picture of one in the top group of photos. I found it on my window screen one morning.
Oh, I wasn’t aware that there were annual cicadas?
I assume they are just as loud and irritating?
Definitely! 🙂
Great quote, “I love the music mess of it”. Here, the cicadas and tree frogs are the prominent voices in the dark – in daytime, birds are still everywhere.
Thanks, Sam. I find that quote to be very true. 🙂 I tried to pick up the sounds that I heard but I agree that, unfortunately, the birds aren’t quite as active at that time of the day. I think the heat might have had something to do with it too.
This post speaks to my heart, Rebecca, you’ve captured my feelings exactly! 🙏🏼💚
Thanks, Eliza! Sometimes I like to sit out on our screened porch at night and just listen to the night sounds. Occasionally and owl or coyote join in.
I love the quote. These photographs are also amazing. You have an eye for detail and it shows.
Thanks, Kathy! It has been hard to get photos this summer because every time I stepped outside with my camera, the humidity caused the camera to fog up. It’s nice to finally have some cooler weather.
It’s finally cooling down here too. Hot and humid summer.
I love the country noises in this post Rebecca and the pictures too. When you are dealing with Winter weather, how nice for you, or any of us, to return to this post and listen to the sounds of Summer. The buzz of the cicadas is just amazing to me. You are outside and the noise intensifies like some type of “surround sound”. I have not seen a grasshopper in a long time. I can remember my friends and I catching them in our hands and feeling them fluttering around our hands until we released them again.
Yes, the cicadas definitely take the lead in the summer serenade, but I noticed again tonight that their sound it almost gone. I don’t think you see grasshoppers like we use to when I was young, or crickets either. I wonder if pesticides have something to do with that. I saw my first cricket of the year tonight. It was almost dark so I wasn’t able to get a photo. The other day I was sitting at my computer and out of no where, a small frog went hopping across my living room. No idea how it got in the house. I was able to catch it and take it outside.
I have not seen a cricket in ages either. I had one in the house about 10 or so years ago. I have no idea how it got in, but I admit its incessant chirping did drive me up the wall. I never did catch it, so it either went out the way it came in, or it died. I’m sure you’re right about the pesticides killing them off. Look at how our butterfly population is dwindling. I rarely see a frog or toad out in the wild, but seeing one in the living room would sure surprise me. That I could handle, but I admit a spider or centipede would do me in!
🙌🙌🙌❤️
A lovely piece of writing!👏
Thanks, Belinda!