纪录片《我们的地球》 第43期 雄伟高山(20)

A new day and a new opportunity.

新的一天，新的机遇

The flock stay in close contact by calling to one another.

鹤群通过互相鸣叫保持密切联系

Weak from lack of food and water, they use thermals¹, rising columns of warm air, to gain height.

尽管它们缺食少水，日渐衰弱，可它们会利用热空气--呈圆柱形上升的热气流来获取高度

For many, this is their first journey across the Himalayas.

许多蓑羽鹤都是第一次踏上穿越喜马拉雅的旅程

For some, it will be their last.

而有些却是最后一次

The golden eagles have been expecting them.

金雕早已企待它们的到来

The eagles work in pairs to separate a young crane from the flock.

两只金雕合作将一只小鹤从队伍中分离出来

It escapes the clutches of one and is caught by another.

它躲过了其中一只的追捕，却没能逃过另一只的利爪

But even a young crane is a heavy prize and the eagle has to struggle to control it.

一只小鹤的份量也是挺重的，金雕不得不努力控制飞行

The mother can wait no longer. This is a desperate race against worsening weather.

母鹤可不能等得太久。这是一场与恶劣气候的死亡赛跑

The rest of the flock battle on.

鹤群其它成员开始背水一战

In the final ascent², every wing-beat becomes an exhausting struggle.

上升过程中每扇一下翅膀都得用尽全身气力

At last, they are over the highest barrier that lies in their way.

最后它们终于翻越了旅途中最高的障碍

But like all who visit the world of the high mountains, they dare not linger.

不过，与所有高山世界的拜访者一样，它们也不敢逗留。

1 thermals   

热裂法炭黑； 上升的热气流，温暖内衣裤( thermal的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Are the thermals picking up any signs of life? 热量探测器有没有检测到生命迹象？
• Thermals are rising air currents caused by heat. 上升暖气流是由于受热而上升的气流。

2 ascent   

n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高

参考例句：

• His rapid ascent in the social scale was surprising.他的社会地位提高之迅速令人吃惊。
• Burke pushed the button and the elevator began its slow ascent.伯克按动电钮，电梯开始缓慢上升。