Thirty miles from the Point Reyes Lighthouse, the Farallon Islands emerge from the water’s surface like ancient columns. On a clear day, their desolate beauty is emboldened by the sun, but most of the time, the islands are shrouded in coastal fog. Only a handful of scientists set foot on the islands each year and visitors are not allowed. For nearly a decade, a camera sat atop the lighthouse on the South Farallon Island to…