“The Squeak Beneath the Sand” Namibia, 2011 – The Desert Rain Frog

I’m excited to share something a little magical—and a little ridiculous—with you this week. In 2011, I was deep in the dunes of coastal Namibia when I recorded one of the most peculiar sounds nature has ever thrown my way.Meet the Desert Rain Frog (Breviceps macrops). It doesn’t croak. It doesn’t chirp. It squeaks. Like a rubber toy defying extinction, hidden beneath the fog-soaked sand.I lay there, alone in the dunes, headphones on, as this tiny creature squealed its heart out just below the surface. It wasn’t calling for love. It was protesting—“I may be small, but I’m not going quietly.”You can hear the full story—and that unforgettable call—in this week’s podcast episode, now live for all patrons. I’ve also included a hand-drawn sketch of this remarkable little being, squeak and all.🎙️ listen above 🎧 Includes: Full story, field note, raw and cleaned frog call recordingsThank you for continuing to support the preservation of these voices. This one still makes me smile every time I hear it.With gratitude,Martyn