Shipping on the River Waal near Nieuwaal.
Today is a slightly windy but beautiful summer day along the Waal near the village of Nieuwaal in Gelderland, the Netherlands. As one ship passes by, the next one soon follows. Each vessel has its own distinct sound. The lingering waves gently wash up on the sandy shore—such a lovely sight. Not much else happens. If you turn down your sound system so low that you can barely hear the quietest parts of the recording, you’ll approximate the volume I experienced there, sitting peacefully in my folding chair.
The photo depicts a riverside landscape along the Waal near Nieuwaal, with a sandy shore in the foreground. The river flows broadly through the center of the image. On the opposite bank, grassy dike, trees, and buildings are visible. These buildings include residential houses and a church located in the village of Hellouw. Two vessels are present on the water: a large blue ship on the left and a smaller white boat near the center. The sky is partly cloudy, featuring prominent cumulus clouds that contribute to a bright and high-contrast lighting. The composition offers a calm and structured impression of the river region.
About the recording
There is wind in the floodplains of the Waal.
It is clearly September; summer is coming to an end.
Waves are a constant presence here, as are approaching ships.
Birdsong has quieted.
Only a white wagtail, always in a hurry, emits a few cautious chirps as it moves back and forth.
It no longer catches many insects.
Soon, it will rejoin its companions and they will migrate south together.
Farewell—until next year.
More river Waal today / More river Waal
Date/time: September 1, 2025, 2:57 pm
Weather: 22-23 °c, clouds 40-50%, cloud 6 km high, wind SSW 22-44 km/h, 1007 hPa, humidity 57%, dew point 15 °c, visibillity 38 km
Location; embankment River waal, Waalbanddijk, Nieuwaal, Gelderland, Netherlands (Holland), Europe. GPS 51.81458 5.17456
Gear chain: Sennheiser mkh30/50 MS with pointed N 0°, in Rycote cyclone small, windjammer > Tascam FR-AV2. Post Decoded Mid-side to STEREO and limiter on -3 dB only for the highest peeks.
Original 82 minute MS-track 48/32 bit float available for motivated pro's and artists.
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To hear, you first have to listen
Type
Ogg Vorbis (.ogg)
Duration
60:00.000
File size
247.4 MB
Sample rate
48000.0 Hz
Bitrate
576 kbps
Channels
Stereo
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