Brains On! Science podcast for kids Mystery Sounds from the natural world
Nov 11, 2025
Join sonic explorer Thomas Rex Beverly, an adventure field recordist who captures the world's natural sounds, as he shares captivating audio mysteries from glaciers to wildlife. Listen in as he unravels the mystery behind a sika deer's bugling call and reveals the sounds of a geyser near Old Faithful. Discover the booming crash of a falling redwood and the melodic calls of humpback whales. Thomas also offers tips for sharpening your listening skills and emphasizes the importance of appreciating nature's symphony.
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Record Like A Photographer
- Treat nature sound recording like photography: go prepared with specialized microphones and patience.
- Record a variety of sources—animals, glaciers, storms—to capture unique audio stories.
Deer That Sound Like Birds
- Beverly recorded sika deer in Texas making bird-like bugling calls during mating season.
- These sika deer are non-native escapees living around San Antonio and create spooky echoes in the hills.
Listener's Geyser Mystery
- A listener submitted a recording that turned out to be the spasmodic geyser near Old Faithful in Yellowstone.
- The sound contained motor-like and flapping elements that masked its true geothermal origin.