Pulse of the Planet Podcast with Jim ...
Each weekday, Pulse of the Planet provides its listeners with a two-minute sound portrait of Planet Earth, tracking the rhythms of nature, culture and science worldwide and blending interviews and extraordinary natural sound.
501
Chasing Mr. Claus
Switzerland's Klausjagen blends a Catholic holiday with a much older celebration.
2 min
502
Celebrating Klausjagen
Whips, bells and a giant paper bishop's hat.
2 min
503
Sinterklaas
Change Santa Claus's team of reindeer into a single white horse, replace his costume with a bishop's robes, and you'll begin to get a picture of Sinterklaas.
2 min
504
Ravens Adapt
Ravens' natural curiosity may be the trait which allows them to survive in nearly every part of the planet.
6 min
505
Hunting with Falcons
When certain hunters give a whistle, they're not calling their dog, they're summoning a trained falcon.
2 min
506
The Sport of Kings
A handful of hunters still practice the ancient sport of kings and they're meeting this week.
3 min
507
Hunting the Red Stag
The sounds of the mating behavior, or 'rut', signal the start of Red Stag hunting season in Hungary.
2 min
508
The Gabra
This time of year, the Gabra of Northeast Africa celebrate a holiday which commemorates human dependence on seasonal cycles.
3 min
509
Masquerade Test
During Nigeria's Kalabari Masquerade, male dancers risk public humiliation for a chance at prestige.
7 min
510
Family Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving unites individuals and families in the spirit of gratitude and sharing.
2 min
511
First Thanksgiving
All the trappings of a traditional Native American meal.
3 min
512
Drum Language
Listen to the words of a water spirit, communicated through the rhythms of drums.
2 min
513
Kalabari Masquerade
The dry winter months are masquerade season for the Kalabari people of Nigeria.
2 min
514
Celebrating the Sabbath
For Syrian Jews, the Sabbath is both a time for rest and for song.
8 min
515
A Marriage Song
The words of a marriage song reflect a rich and dynamic musical tradition.
3 min
516
Pizmon
For a group of Jews with roots in Syria, Pizmon music carries memories of the past as it marks the celebrations of the present.
2 min
517
The Whale's Footprint
When whales surface, they leave a smooth section of water known as a footprint.
2 min
518
Encountering Whales
California Gray whales find safety in numbers on their long journey south.
3 min
519
Festival of Light
Welcome to Diwali - a luminous celebration of enlightenment.
5 min
520
Gray Whales
Using kayaks and "a gentle angle of approach,” a researcher pays a visit to migrating Gray whales.
2 min
521
Ravens on the Alert
How do ravens sense danger in their environment?
2 min
522
Hawk Watching
One of the season's last glimpses of hawks, kestrels and other birds of prey as they soar above the cliffs of New Jersey.
1 min
523
Raven Cache
For ravens, winter is a season which calls for strategy and some occasional bickering.
2 min
524
Persimmon Harvest
An annual harvest of wild persimmons has been a lifelong tradition.
7 min
525
The Swinging Chestnut Strikes Again
Older Britons have adopted conkers, a children's game, and turned it into a competitive spectator sport.
2 min