Sounds

There are sounds all around us, most of which we pay no attention too. However, sometimes we encounter sounds that trigger memories of past times or have an association with certain places or events. Every time I return to Australia there are certain sounds that I look forward to hearing again as they are the familiar sounds of my country. Here are a few:

The sound of rain on a "tin" roof - it has to be one of the most evocative and comforting sounds, particularly on a cold, rainy night. In Australia it's a familiar sound as the majority of houses are roofed with a material known as corrugated iron - sheets of galvanized steel, traditionally painted red, nailed to roof joists in an overlapped pattern to form a durable and water-tight roof. Flying over any typical Australian suburb shows a virtual sea of red roofed houses.

 

Kookaburra

The call of the kookaburra just before dawn and at dusk. These birds are commonly referred to as the laughing kookaburra because of its' distinctive call which sounds somewhat like a hysterical human laugh. each morning, just before dawn, family groups let loose with a round of calls to establish their territory. Occasionally, you'll hear them during the day but they can be counted on to sound the beginning of every day. This bird has a special meaning for me because for about 3-4 months before I moved to the US, I hand fed a wild kookaburra that came into my parents backyard every evening. This bird became so friendly that I could sit on the ground and it would come down and walk up to me to take food from my fingers. My parents said that with a week of my leaving it stopped coming.

Australian magpie

The distinct musical warbling call of the Australian magpie. This bird thrives in suburban landscapes, each mating establishing its own territory which they vigorously defend. if their nests are interfered with, they will carry out diving attacks on any animal (including humans) that enter their territory and use their beaks and claws to drive home the message. Pairs will continue this practice year after year and it typically only stops when one of the pair dies or is killed.

The suburban environment in Australia is filled with the calls of other birds as well. My father puts out food for the various birds that call this area home. In addition to the birds listed above, the following birds also visit the feeding stations:

Eastern Rosella

Pink and Grey Gallah

Little Corella

Rainbow Lorikeet

Sulfur Crested Cockatoo

All-in-all, Australian suburbs are filled with sounds - you just have to stop and listen.

Doc