Producer's Notes: The Farallon Islands—"California's Galapagos"
The Galapagos of California: The Farallon Islands.
Every so often the fog retreats from my neighborhood in San Francisco, moves out to sea and we are blessed with a world-class sunset. Adding to the oranges and reds, yellows and spiraling indigos of the evening sky, it also gives us a special chance to see the silhouette of the strange jagged fist of rock breaking up the crisp line of the horizon. I have gazed out upon the Farallon Islands for years. The archipelago is clearly the wildest part of The City-seemingly always just out of reach. (Many people don’t realize that these little islands are actually part of the City of San Francisco.) Since they are a federally protected wildlife refuge, they’re completely closed to the public. So to get a chance to actually set foot on South Farallon Island was an absolute honor.
We’ve tried to share the experience in as many ways as we can. I encourage everyone to really explore the islands through Quest. In addition to the television story, we have a radio presentation with reporter’s notes, a web exploration with video and stills, a unique audio slideshow, an interactive history timeline (also embedded below) and a Flickr set. We’ll also be adding another web-only video story and education guide. The only things we couldn’t bring you are the smell and chill of the wind. But we’ll get on that.
Farallon Islands History: Interactive Timeline
Watch the The Farallon Islands – "California's Galapagos" television story online.
3 Comments
Thank you for the show on the Farallon Islands. I always wondered what life on the island was like and glad to see so many seabirds live there. After years of people plundering the oceans and its wildlife, I agree that the tables are now turning and people are aware that for every action, there is a re-action. I look forward to watching the show tonight. Chris, great to meet you at the recent Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival and congratulations to QUEST for the award.
Really a nice little show. But I think the segment's title is a misnomer. When one thinks of the Galapagos, one thinks of a chain of islands containing a large number of exotic animal species found no where else in the world.
Very true Stewart. Thanks for bringing this up. When I first heard some scientists, researchers and wildlife managers use the term “Galapagos of California” I found myself asking the same question. But the more we talked, the more I came to embrace the metaphor. (And it clearly is meant to just be a metaphor) While there actually are some unique species of plants and animals that are found only on the Farallon Islands, the vast majority of the wildlife that live there are migratory species that use the place as a resting and breeding site, coming and going with the changing seasons. That should not and does not diminish the status of the islands within the local ecosystem or in fact, their importance for many migratory and pelagic species up and down the Pacific.
The Farallones and Galapagos Islands are clearly very different… Starting with size, location and varying levels of unique plants and animals. There is a wide gap.
But the two places can be compared by their general wildness and importance to wildlife. And I think that is why some people use the metaphor “Galapagos of California”. It is to help remind us of the often forgotten or never known existence and significance of the Farallon Islands. When we compare them to the Galapagos people might better appreciate and understand how vital this place is.
Another question that struck me while thinking more about this metaphor- What would have happened to the Galapagos if they sat just 26-28 miles off the mainland?