Bay Area Wild: A Celebration of the Natural Heritage of the San Francisco Bay Area [Paperback]

Galen Rowell (Author), Michael Sewell (Author)

Book Description

Series: Sierra Club Books Publication | Publication Date: November 30, 1999

The San Francisco Bay Area holds the most extensive system of wild greenbelts in the nation, with more than 200 parks and other protected areas lying within forty miles of the city. With stunning photography and inspiring text, renowned outdoor photographer Galen Rowell has created the ultimate tribute to the area where he was born and raised.
Rowell’s extraordinary photographs make clear why so many have worked so hard to preserve the Bay Area's wildlands, and why this work must continue. Miles of rugged coastline, valleys, bays, islands, mountains, and ocean are captured in stirring images, including a full moon setting through pines on Mount Tamalpais, sunlight illuminating poppies in Tilden Regional Park, and winter storm waves crashing against the rocky San Mateo coast.
Working with Rowell to create this superb collection of images was award-winning photographer Michael Sewell, also a Bay Area native. Sewell has spent years photographing Bay Area wildlife at close range in their natural habitat.
More than 170 spectacular photographs and Rowell's rich descriptions of Bay Area landscapes, as well as interviews with those who were instrumental in preserving them, combine to make Bay Area Wild an unforgettable celebration of these unique national treasures.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Hunted for their meat and hides, Tule elk disappeared from much of California in the wake of the Gold Rush of 1849. Many varieties of waterfowl, grasses, fish, and reptiles once lived in tidal wetlands now swallowed up by metropolitan growth. Yet the elk are back in small numbers after a herd was reintroduced on the Point Reyes Peninsula; wetlands are being restored; and the area around San Francisco is benefiting from a growing awareness that its natural wealth has been needlessly squandered--and that something can be done about it. Wildlife photographers Galen Rowell and Michael Sewell document this story in a wonderful collection of plates, backed by a well-written, informative text. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Galen Rowell's Bay Area Wild is a vivid evocation, and a record of a heritage...a book to dream over and an instruction manual on how to see." --Robert Hass, former United States poet laureate

"As a big fan of Galen Rowell's photography, I heartily welcome and recommend this magnificent collaborative collection.  Michael Sewell's photos are amazing--even to this lifelong resident.  [This book] give[s] us so much of the native beauty of the Bay Area back country on the edge of our urban landscape."  --Dianne Deinstein, United States Senator

"This work captures the extraordinary contrast between civilization and the wild that exists in the Bay Area.  These beautiful photographs remind me of why I feel so lucky to call California my home."  --Barbara Boxer, United States Senator

"A splendid look at the unrivaled natural beauty and diversity of the San Francisco metropolitan area--and a vivid story of its preservation by the energy and devotion of generations of citizens."  --Ernest Callenback, author of Ecotopia

"Galen Rowell's brilliant photography brings us back to that wonderful world of nature that exists all around us here in the Bay Area--and it truly is a joy to behold."  --San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown -- Review

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Sierra Club Books; First Trade Paper Edition edition (November 30, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1578050103
• ISBN-13: 978-1578050109
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 10 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #725,399 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent collection of photography and text., January 8, 1999

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bay Area Wild: A Celebration of the Natural Heritage of the San Francisco Bay Area (Hardcover)

Galen Rowell and Michael Sewell have compiled their photography of the San Franisco Bay Area's remaining natural areas into an excellent book. The photography in Bay Area Wild illustrates the Bay Area's vast greenbelts and natural areas. For someone who has only been involved in still photography for eleven years, Sewell is an amazing wildlife photographer. The text is extremely interesting and informative--Rowell reminds those of us who live in the Bay Area how lucky we are to have such a wonderful backyard abundant with a great diversity of flora and fauna. However, conservation of our wild places didn't come easy. Rowell discusses the many struggles involved in preserving these places. This is a book I've been waiting for!!!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love and landscape photography, January 19, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Liege, Belgium) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bay Area Wild: A Celebration of the Natural Heritage of the San Francisco Bay Area (Hardcover)

Galen Rowell is showing here surely the nicest landscape shots I have ever seen. The Bay Area, that I didn't know, is here in spades, and if you know a little bit of tech, you see several uses of Galen special shooting way (flash, A2 Nikon filtering, s.o.)

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wild in the Streets!, September 6, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Bay Area Wild: A Celebration of the Natural Heritage of the San Francisco Bay Area (Paperback)

An incredible photographic argument that nature is ever-present, fecund, and indomitable! Rowell and Sewell capture the majesty of one the world's most beautiful urban areas to describe nature's ability to adapt and thrive next to mankind. A surprising array of wild animals are photographed within the ex-urban landscape and combine with dramatic Bay Area landscapes to make a compelling story of the beauty that surrounds us--if only we can take time out from our busy lives to see it! This is a great gift to bring back East for the holidays.