Got a good spot on the ridge where the wind slices through the needles, that’s the sweet spot. Hang a small mic on a pole a few feet off the ground, so you’re getting the direct sound, not the ground rumble. Wrap that mic in a proper windscreen or a custom “bird‑net” made from old sailcloth—it’ll cut the hiss but keep the overtones. Shoot early in the morning when the air’s crisp; the wind’s less gusty but still has that natural sweep. If you can, add a little delay by placing a second mic a few meters back, and layer it in post to give the pine needles a tiny echo of themselves. That way you capture the harmonic richness while preserving the field recorder’s purity.