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Article: Sounds of the season: learning to pay attention to the sounds around us. (acoustic ecology)
- Article from:
- Science News
- Article date:
- December 21, 1996
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1996 Science Service, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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A sharp crackle, then the silky strains of violins tingle my ears. I reach over and click off the alarm. The bedsheets rustle.
I lie back and listen, straining to catch the sounds of the early morning outside my window. At this time of year, I know not to expect the incessant twittering of birds, but the unusually pervasive hush puzzles me.
A lone car grinds by, signaling its passage along the street with a curiously muffled sound-as if the sound itself were wearing a thick winter coat. I smile, and a glance between the slats of the window blinds confirms my guess. Fresh snow blankets the lawn, sidewalk, and street.
People live immersed in a sea of ...