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Biophony

Lake Jocassee is so beautiful it is hard to look away. But when the black locusts are blooming and the Oconee Bells are spent, I like to close my eyes and listen to the music of life. Millions of birds have been migrating to their nesting grounds. Some away from the Jocassee Gorges and some to them. They are all singing their best songs. Listen…

The loons are singing farewell. Final hoots, tremolos, and occasional practice songs are floating over foggy waters, soon to be silent of their voice. The remaining Bonapartes buzz with glee when they are on the fish. A raven passes over with a gentle croak. A ‘gulp’ of cormorants sat on the buoy at the Jocassee Dam in the rain this week, and I listened as one looked at another and let out a low vibrating sound, reminding me of a bendy straw being pulled apart.

Heading close to the shoreline, I hear the Eastern Phoebe on her nest calling “Phoebe, Phoebe”. I hear the “zeezeezoozee” of the black-throated green warbler, the “Where are you? Here I am. Over here” of the blue-headed vireo. That squeaky wheel? That is the black and white warbler high in an oak. The “chip-burr” of the Scarlet tanager has me hunting for the deep red and black bird. Perhaps the most exciting sound to return to the forest is the song of the woodthrush. Clear and hopeful, the song flows down to me. The sound of life is being sung into the Jocassee Gorges. ~Tricia Kyzer, JLT guide