An Intertidal Journey
March 3, 2010
This past week, PRBO biologists hosted special visitors to the island – a team of scientific experts on plants and animals that inhabit the intertidal zone. The Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, a program of NOAA, has been conducting surveys of the South Farallon Islands’ intertidal zone every year since 1992. This long-term
Farallones in Bloom
February 28, 2010
The wildflowers are in full bloom on the Farallones and due to abundant rainfall this year they are particularly prolific. While the native maritime goldfields (Lasthenia maritime) and marsh and sticky sand spurry (Spergularia spp) continuously sported a few flowers throughout this wet winter, in the past couple of weeks the island has truly burst
It's a Superweaner!
February 13, 2010
Most female elephant seals nurse their own pups exclusively until weaning, and are fiercely protective of their pups – with good reason, as the main cause of pup mortality on Sand Flat is being bitten in the head by other cows. However, some cows that lose their pups will adopt orphans and raise them as
The Farallon Arboreal Salamander
February 10, 2010
The only native terrestrial vertebrate inhabiting the South Farallon Islands year-round is the arboreal salamander, Aneides lugubris. The Farallones population is considered a sub-species, A. lugubris farallonensis, but is closely related to arboreal salamanders at Point Reyes peninsula. The Farallones were connected to Point Reyes 10,000 years ago when sea levels were much lower. Aneides
A Superlative Creature
February 4, 2010
Noted elephant seal biologist Burney Le Boeuf once stated, “if you like superlatives, you will love this animal.” Consider this list from Le Boeuf and Laws’ seminal 1994 book on elephant seals: Elephant seals are the largest of the 34 extant species of pinnipeds in the world, and one of the most sexually dimorphic marine
Molly is Back!
February 1, 2010
Molly, the brant who hangs out with the western gulls on SEFI from time to time, is back after a several-month absence. Welcome back, Molly!
Peak of the Elephant Seal Breeding Season
January 29, 2010
The last days of January are the peak of the northern elephant seal breeding season on the South Farallon Islands. Most cows have already arrived and given birth on the rookeries, which echo with the sounds of cows calling to their screaming pups and males bellowing to intruders. We can hear the cacophony all the
Stormy Weather
January 20, 2010
The Farallon Islands have been pummeled by a series of major storms over the past few days. The massive swells crashing into the island are awe-inspiring and the intermittent heavy rains are filling our cistern with much-needed drinking water to last PRBO biologists the rest of the year. The huge waves – especially at high
20 Orca seen today!
January 13, 2010
During this morning’s lighthouse watch, I saw 20 Orca swimming west of the island, headed southeast.5 big males were in the group and perhaps 4 juveniles.Very exciting!
The Battles Begin
January 6, 2010
The genus Mirounga comprises the northern and southern elephant seals, the largest pinnipeds in the world. Our large northern elephant seal bulls on Southeast Farallon Island weigh up to 5,000 pounds – some particularly massive ones are even heavier. Northern elephant seals are highly sexually dimorphic, with males weighing 3 to 6 times more than
