Around a tiny chain of islands 围绕着一串小岛
off the coast of Oman, 在阿曼海岸外，
the stage is set for one of nature's greatest spectacles. 舞台是为大自然最伟大的奇观之一而准备的.
Summer weather drives nutrients in 夏天的天气促使营养物质进入
from the oceans depths, 从海洋深处，
where they meet the Arabian sun, 在那里他们遇到了阿拉伯太阳，
causing an explosion of life. 引起生命的爆炸.
For four months, 四个月了，
there's a feeding opportunity like no other. 这是一个前所未有的喂养机会.
Creatures journey from far and wide to join the feast. 生物从四面八方赶来参加盛宴.
Ocean travelers like hawksbill turtles 远洋旅行者喜欢玳瑁
and seabirds. 还有海鸟.
But no visitor is more dramatic. 但没有游客比这更具戏剧性
than the largest fish on earth: 比地球上最大的鱼：
the whale shark. 鲸鲨.
This whale shark is a tiny giant. 这条鲸鲨是个小巨人.
Nine feet long, just a third of his full potential. 九英尺长，只有他全部潜力的三分之一.
Based on his small size, 根据他的身材，
he's probably just entering his teenage years. 他可能刚刚进入青少年时代.
The little giant's on the move. 小巨人在行动.
But he's not alone. 但他并不孤单.
A larger male. 更大的雄性
and a huge female are traveling nearby. 一只巨大的雌性正在附近旅行.
Whale sharks are mysterious. 鲸鲨很神秘.
Despite being the biggest fish on the planet, 尽管是地球上最大的鱼，
they're poorly known and endangered. 它们鲜为人知，濒临灭绝.
These three are part of a population 这三个是人口的一部分
of 500 whale sharks 500条鲸鲨
that live most of the year in the Arabian Gulf. 一年中大部分时间生活在阿拉伯湾.
The gulf stretches between Iran and Saudi Arabia 海湾在伊朗和沙特阿拉伯之间延伸
for more than 600 miles. 超过600英里
providing nearly 100,000 square miles of inland sea. 提供近10万平方英里的内海.
Setting out on an epic journey, 踏上史诗般的旅程，
the sharks are leaving waters north of Qatar, 鲨鱼正在离开卡塔尔北部的水域，
passing the coast of the United Arab Emirates 经过阿拉伯联合酋长国海岸
on the Arabian Peninsula. 在阿拉伯半岛.
They avoid the shallows, 他们避开浅滩，
as they pass the coast off Abu Dhabi. 当他们经过阿布扎比海岸时.
The shallow seas of the Arabian Gulf 阿拉伯湾的浅海
can reach over 95 degrees. 可以达到95度以上.
The waters here are sweltering and very salty. 这里的水很热，而且很咸.
They create the perfect conditions for mangroves 它们为红树林创造了完美的环境
and a number of bird species. 还有一些鸟类.
(Squawking) （尖叫声）
Below the waves, seagrass meadows waft 海浪下，海草草地飘荡
like open prairies. 就像开阔的草原.
Rich in fish, the meadows are a favorite hunting ground 这里盛产鱼类，是人们最喜欢的猎场
for humpback dolphins. 对于座头鲸
and fish-loving osprey. 和爱鱼的鱼鹰.
Despite the abundance, 尽管丰富，
for the whale sharks it might as well be a desert. 对于鲸鲨来说，这可能是一片沙漠.
They typically avoid the shallows 它们通常避开浅滩
because there's little here that they can eat. 因为这里几乎没有他们可以吃的东西.
Instinct drives them forwards. 本能驱使他们前进.
They know there are feeding opportunities ahead. 他们知道前方有觅食的机会.
Beyond the Arabian Gulf lies the Gulf Of Oman: 阿拉伯湾之外是阿曼湾：
cooler, deeper water where life abounds. 更凉爽，更深的水域，那里有丰富的生命.
Within this safe haven, 在这个避风港，
tucked nine miles off the coast of Oman, 在离阿曼海岸9英里的地方，
is a chain of rocky islands 是一系列岩石岛屿
known as the Damaniyat Islands. 被称为达曼尼亚特群岛.
At first glance, the dramatic rocks appear barren 乍一看，这些引人注目的岩石显得贫瘠
and uninviting. 也不讨人喜欢.
But the real riches lie beneath. 但真正的财富就在下面.
Here, the slightly cooler waters 在这里，稍微凉一点的水
create the perfect conditions 创造完美的条件
for corals to grow. 让珊瑚生长.
Like an oasis in the desert, 就像沙漠中的绿洲，
the coral reefs are magnets to marine life. 珊瑚礁吸引着海洋生物
offering food and shelter 提供食物和住所
to a colorful community of residents. 给一个多姿多彩的社区居民.
The reefs support over 100 species of coral 珊瑚礁支持100多种珊瑚
and nearly 600 species of fish. 以及近600种鱼类.
It's June. 今天是六月.
Along the southern shores of the Arabian Peninsula, 沿着阿拉伯半岛的南岸，
the waves are churning. 海浪在翻腾.
This brooding sea marks the start of the monsoon. 这片阴沉的大海标志着季风的开始.
(Thunder rumbles) （雷声隆隆）
Driving weather fronts, winds and currents 驱动天气锋、风和洋流
race north across the Arabian Sea. 向北穿越阿拉伯海
stirring up cold water from the ocean depths. 搅动海洋深处的冷水
and battering the Arabian Peninsula. 袭击阿拉伯半岛.
But tucked inside the Gulf Of Oman, 但藏在阿曼湾，
the Damaniyats are protected. 达曼尼亚人受到保护.
Ideally located, the islands are sheltered 这些岛屿地理位置优越，有庇护
from the ocean storms, 从海洋风暴中，
but do receive swirling eddies of cold water. 但是一定要接受冷水的漩涡
that bring with them nutrients from the abyss. 从深渊带来营养.
The Damaniyat Islands are in a prime position 达曼尼亚特群岛处于有利位置
to host a dramatic explosion of life. 举办一场戏剧性的生命大爆炸.
Seabirds spend most of their lives offshore 海鸟的大部分生命都在近海度过
but, sensing a change in the seasons, 但是，感觉到季节的变化，
they start homing in on the islands. 他们开始在岛上归巢.
They need to return to their breeding sites 它们需要回到它们的繁殖地
and find their mates. 找到他们的伴侣.
A critically endangered female hawksbill turtle 一种极度濒危的雌性玳瑁龟
joins the journey. 加入旅程.
She was born on the islands 她出生在岛上
and it's also time for her to return to breed. 现在也是她恢复繁殖的时候了.
She travels 600 miles 她走了600英里
between her feeding and breeding grounds 在她的饲养场和繁殖地之间
and can set a good pace. 并且可以设定好节奏
covering 12 miles a day. 每天跑12英里.
She's been swimming continuously for weeks. 她已经连续游泳好几个星期了.
But her effort is about to pay off. 但她的努力终将得到回报.
Any day now. 现在任何一天
she'll reach the islands. 她会到达岛屿的.
When nutrients from the ocean meet Arabian sunlight, 当海洋中的营养物质与阿拉伯阳光相遇时，
it creates the perfect conditions for growth. 它为成长创造了完美的条件.
Thanks to this seasonal fertilizer, 多亏了这种季节性肥料，
productivity of marine life can increase tenfold. 海洋生物的生产力可以提高十倍.
Tiny plant-like algae bloom, 像海藻一样的微小植物，
the basis of the ocean's food chain. 海洋食物链的基础.
The dominant species covering the reef is coral. 覆盖珊瑚礁的主要物种是珊瑚.
These tiny animals form huge colonies, 这些小动物形成了巨大的群体，
laying down protective shells 放置保护壳
that become the foundation of the reef. 这成为礁石的基础.
Corals are prolific, 珊瑚是多产的，
but they grow slowly and only when it's warm. 但它们生长缓慢，只有在温暖的时候.
The cooler monsoon conditions tip the balance 凉爽的季风气候打破了平衡
in favor of microscopic plant-like algae 有利于像藻类一样的微小植物
that thrive in the frigid currents. 在寒流中茁壮成长.
They grow faster than the corals, 它们比珊瑚长得快，
cloaking the reef in thin green filaments. 用绿色细丝遮住暗礁.
It's a welcome feast for some of the smaller locals. 对一些小的当地人来说，这是一场受欢迎的盛宴.
So-called dancing shrimps use their tiny pincers 所谓的跳舞虾用它们的小钳子
to pick the algae from the coral fronds. 从珊瑚叶中采海藻.
These seasonal greens 这些时令蔬菜
break up their typically carnivorous diet. 打破他们典型的肉食性饮食.
Their foraging will help ensure 它们的觅食将有助于确保
the algae doesn't drown out the coral. 藻类不会淹没珊瑚.
Wrasse, in turn, enjoy feasting 濑鱼，反过来，享受盛宴
on the small creatures of the reef. 珊瑚礁上的小生物.
Wrasse are key players in the reef ecosystem. 濑鱼是珊瑚礁生态系统中的关键角色.
They comprise the second largest family of marine fish 它们是海鱼的第二大科
and are abundant on reefs all over the world. 在世界各地的珊瑚礁上都有丰富的资源.
The most common around the Damaniyat Islands 达曼尼亚群岛周围最常见的
are these big shoals of crescent wrasse. 这些是新月形濑鱼的大浅滩.
They're also known as moon wrasse 它们也被称为月濑鱼
in both cases because of the yellow, 在这两种情况下，因为黄色，
crescent-shaped portion of their tails. 它们尾巴的新月形部分.
This gang has a complex social structure. 这个团伙的社会结构很复杂.
A larger and more colorful dominant alpha male 一只体型更大、颜色更丰富的雄性大白鲨
maintains a harem of lesser males and females. 维持一个由较小的雄性和雌性组成的后宫.
They're a rowdy bunch, constantly squabbling, 他们是一群吵闹的人，经常争吵，
nipping at their shoal mates. 咬他们的浅滩同伴
or any other fish that get in their way. 或者其他任何挡道的鱼.
The big dark-blue male is about 18 inches long. 这只大的深蓝色雄性大约有18英寸长.
His minions are smaller and greener in color. 他的部下更小，颜色更绿.
They may be small, but they have fiery tempers 他们可能很小，但脾气暴躁
and can hold their own on the reef. 能在暗礁上守住自己.
As the monsoon conditions heighten, 随着季风条件的增强，
productivity increases, 生产力提高，
filtering through every level of the food chain. 过滤食物链的每一个层次.
The churning waters become cloudy 翻腾的水变得多云
with dense wafting blooms of tiny algae 小海藻密集地飘浮着
called phytoplankton. 叫做浮游植物.
These, in turn, feed zooplankton, 这些，反过来，喂养浮游动物，
the minute larval forms of shrimps and crabs 虾和蟹的微小幼虫
that drift in the ocean. 在海里漂流.
Carried by currents through the open water, 被水流穿过开阔水域，
the bloom of plankton acts as a dinner gong 浮游生物的繁盛就像晚餐的锣
to the creatures of the reef. 对珊瑚礁的生物.
Many small species of fish dart away 许多小鱼种飞走了
from their safe crevices in the coral 从珊瑚礁的安全缝隙里
to snack on this profusion of plankton. 以大量的浮游生物为食.
The larger crescent wrasse join the feast. 更大的新月濑鱼加入了宴会.
Everyone wants to eat as much as they can 每个人都想尽量多吃
as quickly as they can. 尽可能快.
The monsoon will only produce these riches 季风只会产生这些财富
for a few months. 几个月了.
But this abundance of food 但这丰盛的食物
is a mixed blessing for the fish. 对鱼来说是喜忧参半.
(Squawking) （尖叫声）
Birds flock over the waves. 鸟在波浪上成群.
They've travelled vast distances to take advantage 他们走了很远的路来占便宜
of the densely-packed pickings. 密密麻麻的采摘.
White-cheeked terns pluck small prey from the surface. 白颊燕鸥从水面捕食小猎物.
(Chattering of terns) （燕鸥的叽叽喳喳声）
Bridled terns have also made the journey, 斑燕鸥也踏上了旅程，
but not solely to feast. 但不仅仅是为了盛宴.
They've timed their breeding season 他们已经确定了繁殖季节
to coincide with this abundance of fish. 为了配合这丰富的鱼.
But first they must find their mates. 但首先他们必须找到自己的伴侣.
About a third of bridled terns are monogamous 大约三分之一的斑燕鸥是一夫一妻制的
and will reconnect with the same partner 会和同一个搭档重新联系
for several years. 好几年了.
Not all couples will be reunited. 并不是所有的夫妇都能团聚.
The sea's a dangerous place. 大海是个危险的地方.
Storms and predators can take their toll, 风暴和掠食者会造成损失，
and some travelers don't make it back 还有一些旅客没能回来
to the sanctuary of the islands. 去岛屿的庇护所.
This male bridled tern scans the horizon. 这只雄燕鸥扫描地平线.
The faithful featherweight ignores the singletons. 忠实的羽毛球运动员忽略了独身者.
He hasn't seen his mate for nine months 他已经九个月没见到他的伴侣了
while he's been out at sea. 当他出海的时候.
He waits to see if she can find her way back to him. 他等着看她是否能找到回到他身边的路.
The tern colony is very strategic 燕鸥群的战略意义重大
in where it makes landfall. 在它登陆的地方.
Away from the mainland, the islands are free 远离大陆，岛屿是自由的
of mammalian predators like rats 像老鼠这样的哺乳动物捕食者
that would eat their eggs. 会吃掉他们的蛋.
The Damaniyat Islands also provide easy access 达曼尼亚特群岛也提供了方便的通道
to the food-rich reefs. 去食物丰富的珊瑚礁.
Below the waves, the feasting continues. 在波涛之下，宴会还在继续.
Thousands of deadly ocean wanderers 成千上万致命的海洋漫游者
emerge from the blue, 从天而降，
lured to the islands by the smaller fish 被小鱼引诱到岛上
feasting on the plankton bloom. 享受浮游生物的盛宴.
These are striped, or Indian, mackerel, 这些是条纹的，或者印度的，鲭鱼，
each a foot of muscle built for high-speed pursuit. 每一只脚的肌肉都是为高速追逐而打造的.
Larger still, the three-foot Talang queenfish, 更大的是三英尺的塔朗皇后鱼，
a powerful solitary hunter. 一个强大的孤独猎人.
Joining them, six-foot stripy brown cobias. 加入他们，六英尺长的棕色条纹眼镜蛇.
All of these predators usually trawl the open sea 这些食肉动物通常都是露天的
looking for prey. 寻找猎物.
But they have easy pickings here. 但他们在这里很容易找到.
Their targets are smaller fish 他们的目标是小鱼
that risk leaving the safety of the reef 有可能离开暗礁的安全
to enjoy the plankton soup. 去享受浮游生物汤.
The appearance of these deadly shoals is a prelude, 这些致命浅滩的出现是一个前奏，
a sign that summer is well underway, 一个夏天即将来临的迹象，
and conditions are just right to lure in the ocean giants. 条件正好可以吸引海洋巨人.
The unmistakable form of a shark 毫无疑问的鲨鱼
dwarfs the huge cobia. 使巨大的眼镜蛇相形见绌.
The first of the travelers 第一个旅行者
arrives from the Arabian Gulf. 从阿拉伯湾抵达.
The largest whale shark ever recorded was 65 feet long, 有记录以来最大的鲸鲨有65英尺长，
and tipped the scales at 37 tons. 把秤翻到37吨.
Whale sharks are the biggest fish on earth. 鲸鲨是地球上最大的鱼.
But, mysteriously, 但是，奇怪的是，
all of these newcomers are juveniles, 这些新来的人都是青少年，
only a fraction of that size. 只是那个尺寸的一小部分.
Whale sharks can live for a century, 鲸鲨可以活一个世纪，
but, based on their size, 但是，根据它们的大小，
these are probably twenty-somethings. 这些大概是20多岁的人.
Despite their relatively young age, 尽管他们年纪比较小，
they've made this journey before. 他们以前也做过这个旅行.
Whale sharks are highly migratory, 鲸鲨是高度洄游的，
ranging over vast distances 远行天涯海角
around the warm oceans of the world. 在世界温暖的海洋里.
Between June and October, the juvenile giants 在六月到十月之间
grace the reefs of Oman with their presence. 以它们的存在来美化阿曼的珊瑚礁.
They bring with them numerous other ocean travelers. 他们带来了许多其他的海洋旅行者.
These three-foot-long remoras are hitch-hikers. 这三英尺长的雷莫拉是搭便车的.
Their dorsal fins are highly modified, 它们的背鳍高度变形，
with a sucker on the top of their heads. 他们头顶上有个吸管.
They swim up to larger animals 它们游向更大的动物
and clamp onto the host's skin with the suction cup. 用吸盘夹住寄主的皮肤.
When space is running out below, 当下面的空间用完了，
they cling to the top of the fin, 它们紧紧抓住鳍的顶端，
which means turning upside-down. 也就是说要颠倒过来.
Though with their streamlined shape, 虽然他们的流线型，
it's hard to tell which way is up. 很难说哪条路上去了.
When a remora wants off, 当雷莫拉想要离开时，
it simply swims forwards, releasing the vacuum. 它只是向前游动，释放真空.
By riding bigger animals, 骑着更大的动物，
the remoras travel over large distances, 雷莫拉斯穿越了很远的距离，
but hardly expend any energy. 但几乎不消耗任何能量.
They steal crumbs 他们偷面包屑
from whatever their host is eating and consume its waste. 它们的主人吃了什么，吃了它的排泄物.
To pay their way, they remove parasites 为了支付费用，他们清除寄生虫
from the whale shark's skin. 从鲸鲨的皮肤上.
It seems the whale shark is fed up 看来鲸鲨受够了
of quite so many uninvited guests. 这么多不速之客.
The remoras won't be easy to shake off. 雷莫拉斯不容易摆脱.
They know their ride is taking them 他们知道他们的车会把他们带走
to good feeding grounds. 去好的饲养场.
Unlike many sharks, 不像很多鲨鱼，
the whale shark is not armed with ferocious teeth. 鲸鲨没有凶猛的牙齿武装.
He's a filter feeder, 他是个滤食者，
carefully sieving plankton from the sea. 仔细地从海里筛选浮游生物.
Like all sharks, 像所有的鲨鱼一样，
whale sharks can detect the faint electrical pulses 鲸鲨能探测到微弱的电脉冲
of other animals in the water, 水里的其他动物，
so that they can sniff out the tiniest traces of food. 这样他们就能嗅出食物的细微痕迹.
An ever-growing entourage of cling-ons gathers 越来越多的追随者聚集在一起
to take advantage of the young behemoth. 利用这个年轻的庞然大物.
These golden trevally edge towards the giant, 这些金黄的树边朝向巨人，
looking to shelter against his bulk. 想躲开他的身体.
The juvenile trevallies will become 年轻的特雷瓦利将成为
fearsome hunters in adulthood, 成年后可怕的猎人，
reaching nearly four feet in length. 将近四英尺长.
But these infants are still small enough 但这些婴儿还很小
to be food for fish like the large cobia. 像大眼镜蛇这样的鱼的食物.
Riding the pressure wave ahead of the huge shark, 在巨大的鲨鱼前面乘风破浪，
they can also save energy and pick off plankton 它们还可以节约能源，捕捉浮游生物
before it disappears down the shark's gullet. 在它消失在鲨鱼的食道之前.
As June progresses, more and more whale sharks arrive. 随着六月的到来，越来越多的鲸鲨来到这里.
There are other species too. 还有其他物种.
The female hawksbill finally makes it to the Damaniyats. 雌性鹰嘴鲸终于到达达曼尼亚家族.
At three feet long, and weighing in at 170 lbs, 三英尺长，170磅重，
she's no small fry. 她不是个小人物.
Though she will occasionally eat fish, 虽然她偶尔会吃鱼，
the profusion of prey doesn't interest her. 她对大量的猎物不感兴趣.
She's quickly greeted by another hawksbill, 她很快就被另一只鹰嘴龙迎接，
a curious younger female. 好奇的年轻女性.
But the older turtle isn't here to socialize. 但老海龟不是来应酬的.
She's on a mission. 她在执行任务.
She's come here to mate and lay eggs. 她来这里交配产卵.
Mature males, distinguished by their long thick tails, 以它们的长尾巴为特征，
are already making themselves at home on the reef. 已经在礁石上安家了.
An old salty seadog. 一只老咸海狗
this male has spent decades at sea. 这只雄性在海上呆了几十年.
Like the whale sharks, he's picked up hitch-hikers. 像鲸鲨一样，他也搭便车.
Not just barnacles, but also a huge conch. 不仅仅是藤壶，还有一只巨大的海螺.
The conch is a sea snail and uses a rasp-like tongue 海螺是一种海螺，用的是像锉刀一样的舌头
to scrape algae off the turtle's shell. 把海藻从龟壳上刮下来.
The first month of monsoon conditions 雨季的第一个月
brings in many new visitors. 带来了许多新的访客.
And now, as June moves into July. 现在，随着六月进入七月
the next phase of life gets underway in the Damaniyats. 下一个阶段的生活开始在达曼尼亚.
The male bridled tern is still waiting for his mate. 公斑燕鸥仍在等待配偶.
But around him the colony grows. 但在他周围，殖民地在成长.
Like the turtles, 就像海龟一样，
the seabirds time their arrival on the reef to breed, 海鸟定时到达礁石繁殖，
knowing that the seasonal abundance 知道季节的丰盛
will provide well for their chicks. 小鸡们会好好养活自己.
The island's low vegetation 岛上植被稀少
gives the male a vantage point to scan for his mate. 给了雄性一个有利的位置来扫描他的配偶.
This tern's lost a leg on its journey 这只燕鸥在旅途中失去了一条腿
perhaps to a large ocean predator like a shark. 也许对鲨鱼这样的大型海洋掠食者来说.
He's one of the lucky few that survive such trauma. 他是少数幸运的幸存者之一.
The injury doesn't seem to have affected his health 伤势似乎没有影响他的健康
and won't impact his fishing skills. 不会影响他的钓鱼技巧.
But he's a reminder of the hardships of life at sea. 但他提醒我们海上生活的艰辛.
Bridled turns are characterized 带缰绳的转弯是有特点的
by their striking black and white faces. 通过他们引人注目的黑白脸.
Each of the birds has distinctive markings 每一只鸟都有独特的标记
to help them recognize each other in a crowd. 帮助他们在人群中认出彼此.
Most settle on the ground. 大多数人在地上定居
near other birds like sooty gulls. 靠近其他鸟类，比如乌黑的海鸥
(Shrieking) （尖叫）
and these swift terns 还有那些敏捷的燕鸥
with their large yellow beaks. 长着黄色的大嘴.
Close cousins to the bridled terns, 燕鸥的近亲，
the swift terns are pale with black caps. 敏捷燕鸥脸色苍白，戴着黑色的帽子.
They bundle together in tightly packed colonies. 它们成群结队地聚集在一起.
(Squawking) （尖叫声）
There are about 4,000 breeding pairs 大约有4000对繁殖对
around the coast and islands of Oman. 在阿曼海岸和岛屿周围.
(Squawking and cackling) （咯咯地叫）
They space themselves out at neck length from each other. 他们把自己隔在脖子上.
The occasional peck 偶尔的啄食
reminds neighbors of the boundary lines. 提醒邻居边界线.
Nesting so close together 窝得这么近
provides safety from predators. 提供安全的捕食者.
There are more pairs of eyes to look out for danger, 有更多的眼睛要注意危险，
and more birds to work together 和更多的鸟一起工作
to drive away any threats. 驱走任何威胁.
The bridled terns, however, prefer a bit more space. 不过，燕鸥更喜欢空间.
The love-struck male's mate has finally made it back 男人的爱终于被男人击退了
from her winter at sea. 她在海上度过的冬天.
The couple reaffirm their bond 这对夫妇重申了他们的关系
through a courtship dance. 通过一场求爱舞蹈.
They need to maintain their close bond 他们需要保持亲密关系
to present a united front against other pairs 形成一个统一战线来对付其他两对
that would like to muscle in on their relationship, 他们想加强他们的关系，
or their newly chosen nest site. 或者他们新选择的巢穴.
They're going to have to work closely together 他们必须紧密合作
if they're to successfully raise a chick. 如果他们想成功地养一只小鸡.
Usually ground nesters, the bridled terns 通常是地上筑巢的燕鸥
will use the barest scrapes in the rocks 会用岩石上最光滑的刮痕
in which to lay their eggs. 在那里产卵.
Some seek a springier mattress. 有些人寻求更具弹性的床垫.
The low-lying vegetation 低洼的植被
provides a little more cover for the nest 为巢穴提供多一点掩护
to keep out the neighbors. 把邻居挡在外面.
Sooty gulls can be egg thieves. 乌黑的海鸥可能是偷鸡蛋的贼.
(Thunder rumbles) （雷声隆隆）
By the end of July, the monsoon reaches its peak, 7月底季风达到顶峰，
stirring things up for the Damaniyat islands. 为达马尼亚特群岛挑起事端.
Both residents and visitors make the most 居民和游客都能获得最大的收益
of its seasonal riches. 它的季节性财富.
The young whale shark, 年轻的鲸鲨，
still looking like a floating commune, 看上去还是个漂浮的公社，
plows on in his mission to feed. 在他的任务中继续耕耘.
The great arching slits along the side of his head 他头的侧面有一道巨大的拱形裂缝
are modified gills. 是改性鳃.
Water goes in through the mouth 水从嘴里流入
and out through these openings. 从这些开口出去.
They house gill rakers, 他们有捕鳃器，
hair-like structures that catch particles in the water, 毛发状的结构能捕捉水中的微粒，
trapping even microscopic plankton 捕捉微小的浮游生物
as the water passes through. 当水通过时.
The retained food can be wafted to the throat 残留的食物会被吹到喉咙
and swallowed. 然后吞下去.
A medium-sized whale shark like this one 像这样的中型鲸鲨
filters more than 160,000 gallons, 过滤器超过160000加仑，
collecting 6 lbs. of food per hour. 每小时收集6磅食物.
Recent studies suggest a shark like this male 最近的研究表明这种雄性鲨鱼
will consume around 46 lbs. of food a day. 每天将消耗大约46磅的食物.
That's the equivalent of 184 typical hamburgers. 这相当于184个典型的汉堡.
In addition to filtering food, 除了过滤食物，
the gills are also responsible for breathing. 鳃也负责呼吸.
The whale shark must always keep swimming 鲸鲨必须一直游泳
to pass oxygenated water through its gills. 使含氧的水通过鳃.
Like other open-water sharks, 像其他的开阔水域的鲨鱼一样，
if he stops swimming, he'll die. 如果他停止游泳，他会死的.
(Squawking) （尖叫声）
By mid August, thousands of birds 到八月中旬，成千上万的鸟
are nesting on the islands. 在岛上筑巢.
The reunited bridled terns have a nest site 团聚的斑燕鸥有一个巢址
and are ready to lay their eggs. 准备产卵.
The swift terns have already laid theirs. 燕鸥已经下蛋了.
It's hot weather for brooding. 天气很热，适合沉思.
They all face into the breeze and pant, 他们都面对着微风和喘息，
trying to keep cool. 试着保持冷静.
Some stand over their eggs, 有些人站在鸡蛋旁边，
shading them and allowing the breeze to circulate. 遮住它们，让微风流通.
The eggs are mottled for camouflage. 鸡蛋上有斑驳的斑点以作伪装.
For many species of birds, 对于许多鸟类，
the unique markings also allow the parents 独特的标记也允许父母
to distinguish their eggs 来区分它们的卵
from those of their neighbors. 从他们的邻居那里.
It's been shown that swift terns 有研究表明，雨燕燕鸥
don't have these skills. 没有这些技能.
Even after they hatch, it takes a few days 即使在孵化之后，也需要几天的时间
before these birds are able to recognize their own young. 在这些鸟能认出自己的幼崽之前.
Occasionally, an egg is damaged or infertile, 有时，卵子受损或不育，
or one of the parents is lost at sea 或者其中一个父母在海上失踪
and the nest is abandoned. 鸟巢被遗弃了.
Without an adult shading it from the sun, 如果没有成年人遮挡阳光，
the egg will boil in the heat. 鸡蛋在高温下会沸腾.
Nearby, the sooty gulls have laid two. 在附近，乌黑的海鸥已经埋下了两条.
The female takes over nest-shading duties 雌鸟负责巢的遮阴工作
while the male patrols the tern colony. 当雄性在燕鸥群巡逻时.
This abandoned hard-boiled egg 这个被遗弃的煮鸡蛋
would make a good meal. 会很好吃的.
But the terns stand shoulder to shoulder, 但是燕鸥肩并肩站着，
so that there is no way through 这样就没有办法了
the densely-packed flock. 拥挤的羊群.
It's not just the birds laying eggs. 不仅仅是鸟在产卵.
With so much food available, 有这么多的食物，
the Damaniyats' marine life is also ready to breed. 达曼尼亚人的海洋生物也可以繁殖.
All crescent wrasse are born female, 所有新月濑鱼都是雌性，
but as they mature, some of them will become male, 但当它们成熟时，有些会变成雄性，
a process that takes just ten days. 一个只需要十天的过程.
Now that the breeding season is getting underway, 现在繁殖季节开始了，
that transformation is taking place for some. 对一些人来说，这种转变正在发生.
With new males around, 有了新的雄性，
the big blue dominant male will have to work harder 蓝色占优势的大雄性将不得不更加努力地工作
if he wants to be the one to breed with the females. 如果他想成为和雌性交配的那个.
Parrotfish are also breeding. 鹦鹉鱼也在繁殖.
Like the wrasse, their shoals are a mixture 和濑鱼一样，它们的浅滩也是混合的
of drab youngsters, mature females, 单调的年轻人，成熟的女性，
and a big, colorful, dominant male. 一个大的，多姿多彩的，占主导地位的男性.
As the excitement grows, 随着兴奋的加剧，
the males follow the females. 雄性跟随雌性.
They all dash out 他们都冲出去了
and release sperm and eggs by the millions. 释放出数以百万计的精子和卵子.
It's a scattergun approach. 这是一个散弹枪的方法.
The idea is that if enough are pumped out, 我们的想法是如果有足够多的水抽出来，
at least a few of the eggs and sperm 至少有一些卵子和精子
will fertilize each other 会使彼此受精
and manage to escape the other fish 并设法逃脱其他鱼
that gather to feed on them. 它们聚集在一起吃它们.
Some of the crescent wrasse risk venturing 一些新月濑鱼冒险冒险
far above the safety of the reef 远远高于暗礁的安全
to launch their eggs directly into the current, 把它们的卵直接射入水流中，
so that they'll be carried away from the hungry mouths. 好让他们从饥饿的嘴里夺走.
The fish orgy creates a soup of caviar. 鱼的狂欢创造了鱼子酱汤.
Mass spawning events are common. 大规模繁殖事件很常见.
It makes sense for many animals 这对许多动物都有意义
to release their eggs at the same time 同时释放它们的卵
to limit the chances 限制机会
of them all being picked off by predators. 他们都被捕食者夺走了.
Despite the abundance of eggs, 尽管鸡蛋很丰富，
perhaps only one in a million will survive to adulthood. 也许只有百万分之一的人能活到成年.
The hungry wrasse gang, 饥饿的濑鱼帮，
and a vast array of other opportunists, 以及其他许多机会主义者，
hang around below, waiting for any eggs 在下面闲逛，等鸡蛋
that sink to the sea floor, 沉入海底，
even if it means cannibalizing their own. 即使这意味着要吃掉他们自己的.
This is a fish-eat-fish world. 这是一个鱼吃鱼的世界.
Only a lucky few will survive the onslaught. 只有少数幸运儿能在袭击中幸存下来.
This breeding bonanza is what has prompted the whale sharks 正是这种繁衍的财富促使了鲸鲨的出现
to swim hundreds of miles to join the feast. 游几百英里去参加盛宴.
Individual sharks sometimes hover over particular reefs 个别鲨鱼有时在特定的暗礁上盘旋
for as long as 14 hours, 长达14个小时，
waiting for the spawning to take place. 等待产卵发生.
The male uses a gulping technique 雄性使用吞咽技术
to vacuum up thousands of eggs. 用吸尘器吸去成千上万的鸡蛋.
Despite their fame as the world's biggest fish, 尽管它们是世界上最大的鱼，
whale sharks are still an enigma. 鲸鲨仍然是个谜.
The species itself has only been known to science 这个物种本身只有科学才知道
for 200 years. 200年了.
Many aspects of their biology remain poorly known. 它们生物学的许多方面仍然鲜为人知.
Both accidental and deliberate fishing 意外和蓄意捕鱼
for meat and fins 肉和鱼翅
are driving down whale shark numbers. 正在减少鲸鲨的数量.
As their populations diminish, 随着人口的减少，
greater efforts are being made to understand them. 人们正在作出更大的努力来理解它们.
It's believed that around 人们相信
three-quarters of the world's whale sharks 世界四分之三的鲸鲨
live in the Indo-Pacific. 住在印度太平洋.
But even these populations have declined by around 63% 但即使是这些人口也减少了63%左右
in just 75 years. 仅仅75年.
Protected reserves, such as the Damaniyat Islands, 保护区，如达曼尼亚特群岛，
are a vital sanctuary. 是重要的避难所.
Hawksbill turtles, too, are in trouble. 玳瑁也有麻烦了.
They're critically endangered 它们濒临灭绝
due to hunting, entrapment in fishing gear, 由于渔具被诱捕，
harvesting of their eggs 收获它们的卵
and the destruction of their nesting beaches. 以及它们筑巢海滩的破坏.
But they, too, find protection 但他们也找到了保护
in the Damaniyat Islands. 在达曼尼亚群岛.
This female hawksbill was likely born here. 这只雌性玳瑁很可能是在这里出生的.
After hatching, she will have gone out to sea for 20 years 孵化后，她将出海20年
until she reached maturity. 直到她成熟.
Now she returns to the same beach 现在她又回到了同一个海滩
every two or three years to lay her eggs. 每隔两三年产卵一次.
Since arriving on the reef, she's mated and now carries 自从到达珊瑚礁后，她就交配了，现在携带着
over a hundred fertilized eggs inside her. 她体内有一百多个受精卵.
Hawksbills feed mostly on sponges and soft coral, 玳瑁主要以海绵和软珊瑚为食，
which they demolish 他们把它拆了
with the tough beaks that give them their name. 长着坚硬的喙，这就是它们的名字.
But the female's not eating as much sponge as usual. 但是雌性没有像平常那样吃海绵.
Instead she's devouring harder pieces of the reef 相反，她在吞食珊瑚礁的坚硬部分
for calcium carbonate 碳酸钙
that will help with the formation of eggshell. 这有助于蛋壳的形成.
As the turtle feeds, she's breaking off bits of coral, 当乌龟进食的时候，她会分解掉一些珊瑚，
flushing out the small creatures 把小动物赶出去
that were hiding there. 他们藏在那里.
For that reason, she has a posse in tow. 她是有原因的.
The crescent wrasse and other reef opportunists 新月濑鱼和其他暗礁投机者
are hot on her heels, 在她的脚跟上很烫，
picking off any scraps in her wake. 在她醒来的时候把所有的碎片都捡起来.
She will wait until the cover of darkness 她会等到黑暗的掩护
before she drags herself ashore, 在她拖上岸之前，
digs a nest and lays her eggs. 挖一个窝产卵.
The island has so much to offer 岛上有很多东西可供选择
that both the turtles and the whale sharks 海龟和鲸鲨
make their vast journeys to get here. 他们要经过漫长的旅程才能到达这里.
Both cover similar distances, roughly 500 miles. 两者的距离相似，大约500英里.
The turtles move up from southern Arabia. 海龟从阿拉伯南部向上移动
whereas the whale sharks travel down the Arabian Gulf 而鲸鲨沿着阿拉伯湾航行
from the north. 从北方来的.
Unlike the breeding turtles, 与繁殖中的海龟不同，
only juvenile whale sharks migrate to the Gulf of Oman 只有幼年鲸鲨才迁徙到阿曼湾
for the plankton feast. 为了浮游生物盛宴.
It's possible the reef's like a summer camp, 有可能珊瑚礁就像夏令营，
a seasonal, teenage hangout, 一个季节性的青少年聚会，
where the sharks can bulk up 在那里鲨鱼可以聚集起来
and ready themselves for adulthood. 为成年做好准备.
This male is the smallest whale shark 这只雄性是最小的鲸鲨
ever recorded in the region 在这个地区有记录吗
at just nine feet long. 只有九英尺长.
Scientists can distinguish individuals 科学家可以区分个体
by the patterns on their skin. 根据他们皮肤上的图案.
Each is as unique as a fingerprint. 每一个都像指纹一样独特.
So far, 500 have been identified 到目前为止，已经确认了500人
in the Arabian Gulf. 在阿拉伯湾.
By September, 到九月，
the whale shark numbers are reaching their peak. 鲸鲨的数量正达到顶峰.
This larger individual, 这个较大的个体，
a huge female about 26 feet long, 一只大约26英尺长的巨大雌性，
is a rare sight in the Damaniyat Islands. 是达曼尼亚特群岛上罕见的景观.
Only 30% of the sharks that come here are female. 来这里的鲨鱼只有30%是雌性的.
Just why isn't clear. 只是为什么不清楚.
The season's passing quickly. 季节过得很快.
Fish have spawned, 鱼已经产卵了，
the bird colony's well fed, 鸟群的食物充足，
and the sharks continue their gorging. 鲨鱼继续吞食.
But the favorable conditions that follow the monsoon 但是季风过后的有利条件
only last for four months. 只持续了四个月.
By October, things are changing. 到了10月份，情况正在发生变化.
The nutrient-rich upwellings decrease, 营养丰富的上升流减少，
and higher temperatures return to the reef, 更高的温度回到珊瑚礁，
as warm surface waters once again 再次成为温暖的地表水
push in towards Oman from the Indian Ocean. 从印度洋向阿曼挺进.
(Squawking) （尖叫声）
Exhausted from raising their families, 因为养家糊口而筋疲力尽，
the last small flocks of terns bathe, 最后一小群燕鸥在洗澡，
cleaning their feathers, readying themselves 清理他们的羽毛，准备好自己
for the next eight months feeding out at sea. 在接下来的八个月里在海上觅食.
These will be the last days together 这将是我们在一起的最后几天
for the young couple this season. 为这对年轻夫妇准备的.
Soon, they'll head off 很快，他们就要出发了
to drift around the Indian Ocean. 在印度洋漂流.
But, hopefully, they'll pair up again next summer. 不过，希望他们明年夏天能再次搭档.
As the birds leave, the stage is set for new arrivals. 当鸟儿离开时，舞台为新来的鸟儿准备好了.
60 days after their eggs were laid, 产卵60天后，
tiny turtles emerge from the sand. 小海龟从沙滩上爬出来.
The sheltered bays of the Damaniyats offer sanctuary 达曼尼亚人的庇护海湾提供了避难所
to green and hawksbill turtles, 绿海龟和玳瑁，
both of which are critically endangered. 它们都是极度濒危物种.
Most turtles hatch during the night, 大多数海龟在夜间孵化，
but it's not uncommon to see some emerge 但出现这样的现象并不少见
during daylight hours. 在白天.
With soft shells an inch and a half long, 有一英寸半长的软壳，
they're extremely vulnerable to predators. 它们极易受到捕食者的攻击.
Somehow, imprinted in their tiny brains, 不知怎的，在他们小小的大脑里留下了印记，
is the knowledge to migrate. 是知识的迁移.
Instinctively, they head for the water. 他们本能地朝水走去.
Where these little ones will grow up is unknown. 这些小家伙在哪里长大还不得而知.
They'll drift with the ocean currents, 它们会随着洋流漂流，
feeding far out at sea. 在遥远的海上觅食.
Only a fraction will survive. 只有一小部分人能活下来.
But those that do might not visit the reef again 但那些不去的人可能不会再去珊瑚礁了
until they're sexually mature in about 20 years. 直到20年后性成熟.
As October draws to a close, 十月即将结束，
things calm down for the inhabitants. 居民们的生活平静下来了.
The birds and migratory fish move offshore. 鸟类和洄游鱼类移到近海.
The adult turtles return to their feeding grounds. 成年海龟回到它们的觅食地.
After four months of binging, 经过四个月的狂欢，
the whale sharks have big round bellies, 鲸鲨有大而圆的腹部，
and are ready to move on. 准备好继续前进.
The young males will head back to the Arabian Gulf. 年轻的雄性将返回阿拉伯湾.
They still have time before they reach adulthood 他们在成年前还有时间
and will likely return next year. 明年可能会回来.
The large female that's been feeding here 在这里喂食的大雌性
is about 30 years old and reaching maturity. 大约30岁，即将成熟.
She may never return to this reef. 她可能再也回不了这个暗礁了.
She'll mix with the older sharks of the Arabian Gulf, 她会和阿拉伯湾的老鲨鱼混在一起，
looking for a mate. 寻找伴侣.
Once she's mated, 一旦她交配了，
she's likely to disappear into the ocean depths 她很可能会消失在海洋深处
to have her young. 让她年轻.
Though exactly where she'll go and what she'll do 尽管她会去哪里做什么
is still largely unknown. 基本上还是个未知数.
The giants leave the reef, 巨人离开礁石，
taking with them the many mysteries of their lives. 带着他们生活中的许多谜团.
Only when the monsoon again stirs up the reef 只有当季风再次搅动礁石的时候
will they return and grace the waters of Oman once more. 他们会回来再次美化阿曼的水域.