纪录片《南太平洋》 第89期 无尽深蓝（23）

Tiger sharks. They're one of the Pacific's most formidable predators¹.

虎鲨。它们是太平洋中最可怕的肉食动物之一

The goal was to film them hunting from above and below the water.

摄制组的目标是拍摄到它们在水面和水下捕食

This proved to be the team's greatest filming challenge.

事实证明，这次的拍摄极富挑战性。

To film this behaviour, the team sailed 800 miles

为了拍摄这一行为，摄制组航行一千多公里

to one of the remotest islands in the Hawaiian chain - French Frigate² Shoals.

抵达夏威夷岛链中最远的岛屿，弗伦奇弗里盖特礁脉

We should just pass... The timing³ was critical.

我们应该直接穿过...时机尤为关键

For just two weeks a year, a dozen tiger sharks gather round this tiny island

因为每年中只有两周，一群虎鲨会聚集在这个小岛周围

ready for the albatross chicks' maiden⁴ flights.

等待着信天翁雏鸟的初次飞行

So as not to disturb the bird colony,

为了不惊扰鸟群

a scaffold tower was erected⁵ offshore⁶ in the middle of the shark-infested lagoon⁷.

摄制组将脚手架竖立在水中鲨群出没的环礁湖中央

This small filming platform was going to be the topside crew's base for the next ten days.

这个小小的摄影平台在接下来的十天中将作为海上摄制组的基地

A daunting⁸ prospect⁹ for landlubber cameraman John Aitchison.

对旱鸭子摄影师约翰·艾奇森而言，这个视角令人心惊。

It's pretty scary being out here when they're really close.

当它们靠得很近时，在上面的确可怕

Sometimes the platform wobbles when the waves hit the back of it,

海浪从后方拍打过来，平台时有晃动

and I do wonder about what would happen if I fell in.

我在想如果掉下去会怎样。

1 predators   

n.食肉动物( predator的名词复数 )；奴役他人者（尤指在财务或性关系方面）

参考例句：

• birds and their earthbound predators 鸟和地面上捕食它们的动物
• The eyes of predators are highly sensitive to the slightest movement. 捕食性动物的眼睛能感觉到最细小的动静。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 frigate   

n.护航舰，大型驱逐舰

参考例句：

• An enemy frigate bore down on the sloop.一艘敌驱逐舰向这只护航舰逼过来。
• I declare we could fight frigate.我敢说我们简直可以和一艘战舰交战。

3 timing   

n.时间安排，时间选择

参考例句：

• The timing of the meeting is not convenient.会议的时间安排不合适。
• The timing of our statement is very opportune.我们发表声明选择的时机很恰当。

4 maiden   

n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的

参考例句：

• The prince fell in love with a fair young maiden.王子爱上了一位年轻美丽的少女。
• The aircraft makes its maiden flight tomorrow.这架飞机明天首航。

5 ERECTED   

adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立

参考例句：

• A monument to him was erected in St Paul's Cathedral. 在圣保罗大教堂为他修了一座纪念碑。
• A monument was erected to the memory of that great scientist. 树立了一块纪念碑纪念那位伟大的科学家。

6 offshore   

adj.海面的，吹向海面的；adv.向海面

参考例句：

• A big program of oil exploration has begun offshore.一个大规模的石油勘探计划正在近海展开。
• A gentle current carried them slowly offshore.和缓的潮流慢慢地把他们带离了海岸。

7 lagoon   

n.泻湖，咸水湖

参考例句：

• The lagoon was pullulated with tropical fish.那个咸水湖聚满了热带鱼。
• This area isolates a restricted lagoon environment.将这一地区隔离起来使形成一个封闭的泻湖环境。

8 daunting   

adj.使人畏缩的

参考例句：

• They were faced with the daunting task of restoring the house.他们面临着修复房子的艰巨任务。
• Starting a new job can be a daunting prospect.开始一项新工作有时会让人望而却步。

9 prospect   

n.前景，前途；景色，视野

参考例句：

• This state of things holds out a cheerful prospect.事态呈现出可喜的前景。
• The prospect became more evident.前景变得更加明朗了。