Sound Magic

Today as I unloaded my bicycle from the rack, exchanged flip flops for cycling cleats, and donned a helmet, I felt a distinct urge to leave the ear buds and John Butler Trio behind and focus on the sounds of nature. Generally I like this particular music as it has a perfect beat for cycling; however, the ear buds stayed behind and I set the intention of paying attention to nature’s music.

I had barely rounded the first curve when the wind pushed me. Yikes!! Where did this come from? Isn’t it going to be a fun ride? 

First, I noticed my ears experienced a loud roar that comes with increased speed. As I listened past the sound of rushing wind, I noticed tall pines and their long needle foliage were whispering. As I begin the first part of the eighteen miles through the back country of the park, the swishing whispers of the pines was constant.

Then scrubby live oak trees rattled in the wind. And the tires on my bicycle crunched dried leaves as I rolled over them. As I tuned my ears, I began hearing other sounds…sweet sounds of birds.

Birds serenaded as I whirled past.  Species changed according to trees and other vegetation found nearby. Pines, scrubby oaks, marsh grasses all harbored different singers. Tweets, trills, whistles…wings flapping filled the morning air.

While riding through a large expanse of very wet marsh, the sound of the tall sedges dancing in the wind was soft and lovely. Nearing the end of the passage through the area, a mourning dove and purple gallinule flew at the same time. The heavier-beat of the dove’s wings flapped while the gallinule’s wings created a softer sound of feathers moving through air. Music.

A squirrel scurrying up the bark of a pine tree….small animals moving in the underbrush…a lizard rushing across leaves….water dripping through a drain pipe….traffic sounds in the distance….another cyclist saying good morning as we passed….my cleats on concrete as I stop to refill my water bottle….

Focusing on sound kept me in the present moment where magic is experienced. I completed the ride feeling peaceful and in tune with nature. In tune with myself.