纪录片《冰冻星球》 第24期 极地之春（7）

 

At the southern end of our planet,

在我们星球的最南端

the Antarctic sea ice is still at its greatest extent.

南极正是海冰面积最大的时候

But there are a few islands on its outer edge

但是大陆外缘有一些岛屿

that the sea ice never quite reaches.

周围没有海冰覆盖

South Georgia is washed

南大西洋丰富的

by the rich waters of the Southern Atlantic

相对温暖的海水

and the comparative warmth of the sea

冲刷着南乔治亚岛

takes the edge off the vicious southern winter.

减弱了南极冬季的恶劣气候

It's even possible for a few hardy¹ animals,

对于一些耐寒的动物

like the wandering albatross,

如漂泊信天翁来说

to live here throughout the whole year.

在这里度过一整年也是有可能的

The enormous albatross chicks take 13 months to fledge,

体形庞大的雏鸟需要十三个月才长出羽毛

so they have no choice but to sit here throughout the winter.

所以它们不得不在这里过冬

It can't be easy, but the thick layer of fluffy² down

这不容易 但是厚厚的绒毛

keeps out the worst of the cold.

能抵挡极度的寒冷

Their parents travel thousands of miles to collect the fish and squid

他们的父母飞行几千英里去抓鱼和鱿鱼

they need to stay warm and to grow.

他们需要这些来维持体温 促进发育

1 hardy   

adj.勇敢的，果断的，吃苦的；耐寒的

参考例句：

• The kind of plant is a hardy annual.这种植物是耐寒的一年生植物。
• He is a hardy person.他是一个能吃苦耐劳的人。

2 fluffy   

adj.有绒毛的，空洞的

参考例句：

• Newly hatched chicks are like fluffy balls.刚孵出的小鸡像绒毛球。
• The steamed bread is very fluffy.馒头很暄。