非洲西北部
﻿North-west Africa.
数千平方公里的干旱贫瘠的沙漠
Thousands of square kilometers of dry, barren desert.
一个遥远的小群岛坐落在海岸外
A small, remote archipelago lies off the coast
被大西洋环绕
surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean.
七个火山岛——每个都有自己的世界
Seven volcanic islands – each, its own world.
加那利群岛
The Canary Islands
赤道暖流与北大西洋寒流在这里汇合
Here, warm equatorial currents merge with the cold waters of the north Atlantic.
浮游生物从深海中升起
Plankton rises from the deep
聚集在海面附近
collecting near the ocean surface.
来自不同气候区的鱼类和海洋哺乳动物
Fish and marine mammals from different climate zones
在加那利群岛海域相遇
meet in the waters off the Canary Islands.
水面上，信风给岛屿带来了生机
Above the water, the trade winds bring life to the islands.
它们在穿越海洋时吸收水分
They pick up moisture as they cross the ocean
为一系列令人叹为观止的动植物创造环境
creating conditions for a breath-taking range of flora and fauna.
数百万年前
Millions of years ago
加那利群岛从海底升起
the Canary Islands rose from the ocean depths.
洋流和信风为新物种的生长创造了独特的栖息地环境
Marine currents and winds created unique habitats for new species to develop.
大西洋群岛形成了它自己的小宇宙
The Atlantic archipelago became its own little universe.
加那利群岛几乎包含了所有的气候区
The Canaries contain almost every climate zone:
亚热带云雾林和贫瘠的火山地貌 以及白雪覆盖的山峰
subtropical cloud forests and barren volcanic landscapes, to snow-covered peaks
与地球上的其他地方隔绝
Cut off from the rest of the planet
岛上的动植物生活在这个有限的区域里
the animals and plants of the islands live life at the limit
这一切始于两千万年前
It all started 20 million years ago.
在大西洋深处 某样东西正酝酿着
Deep in the Atlantic, something is brewing... Volcanoes erupt on the sea bed
火山即将冲破海床，穿透地壳冲破海洋表面
The Earth’s crust pierces the surface of the sea.
加那利群岛从火中诞生 至今尚未安定下来
The Canaries were born of fire, and have yet to settle.
在开始的时候
In the beginning:
火山岛上没有生命
a volcanic island, devoid of life.
几个月内细菌侵入裸露的岩石
Within months, bacteria invade the naked rock.
几个月内细菌侵入裸露的岩石水藻和地衣紧随其后 在黑色的熔岩上呈现出绿色
Algae and lichen follow, green on the black lava.
从火山的世界
The world of the Fire Mountains
可见生命的开端
the visible beginnings of life itself.
泰德峰海拔近4000米
Mount Teide rises almost 4,000 meters above the sea.
它是一个沉睡的巨人
It’s a sleeping giant.
它最后一次爆发是在1909年
It last erupted in 1909.
无数次的爆发创造了世界上最伟大的自然奇观之一
Innumerable eruptions created one of the world's great natural wonders.
火山 环形山和硬化的熔岩流在崎岖 险峻的地貌中融合在一起
Volcanoes, craters and hardened lava streams merge in a rugged, forbidding landscape.
兰萨罗特岛蒂曼法火山
The volcanoes of Timanfaya on Lanzarote.
280年前 这里是一场自然灾害的震中
280 years ago this was the epicenter of a natural disaster
那场灾难留下了世界上最引人注目的火山景观之一
that left one of the world’s most dramatic volcanic landscapes.
目前 火山处于休眠状态 生命得以恢复
For now, the volcano lies dormant, allowing life to return.
翎颌鸨是游牧者
Houbara bustards are nomads.
很久以前 它们来自非洲
Long ago, they came from Africa
在那里它们学会了忍受酷热和干旱
where they’d learned to withstand blistering heat and drought.
就像北非的撒哈拉沙漠一样
Much like the Sahara Desert in North Africa
富埃特文图拉和兰萨罗特的火山地貌也是贫瘠和被侵蚀过的地貌
the volcanic landscapes of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote are barren and eroded.
这片多岩石的沙漠几乎没有什么植被
This rocky desert provides little cover.
大型鸟类唯一的保护障是伪装
The only protection for the large birds is camouflage.
翎颌鸨随风而来
The houbara bustards came with the winds.
富埃特文图拉的意思是“强风” 毫无疑问 风从不停歇
Fuerteventura means "strong wind", and sure enough, the wind never lets up.
沙子在空中飞舞 使景色黯然失色
Sand whips through the air, dulling the view.
这种风叫做“卡利马” 是来自撒哈拉沙漠的热风
The wind is called “Calima”. The hot wind from the Sahara.
在地球上最大的沙漠里 大量的沙子形成了巨大的沙丘
In the Earth's largest desert, vast amounts of sand form mighty dunes.
但并不是所有的沙子都留在这里
But not all the sand stays here.
强大的风暴将其吹到高空 并将其扩散到数千公里
Powerful storms blow it high into the atmosphere, spreading it over thousands of kilometers
卡利马带这些沙子穿过大西洋
Calima carries the sand out over the Atlantic.
富埃特文图拉和兰萨罗特是这次西行最先到达的岛屿
Fuerteventura and Lanzarote are the first islands on the journey west.
这里大量的沙土 形成了大片的沙漠
Large amounts of sand land here, creating expanses of desert.
虽然这些岛屿是一片充满了热泥浆的炽热沙漠
While the islands were a glowing desert of hot mud,
但海底却充满了生命
the ocean floor teemed with life.
但在地表之下也有不稳定的火山栖息着
But below the surface too, volcanoes are unstable habitats.
高温气体可以随时冲出地表 污染周围的水
Hot gases can escape the earth at any time,poisoning the surrounding water.
静止的生命形式过早地结束了
Immobile life forms meet an untimely end.
古老的生物继续居住在这个奇怪的地狱
Ancient creatures continue to inhabit this strange netherworld.
有很多奇异而神秘的生物
Many are bizarre and mysterious.
当寒流遇到熔化的熔岩结果可能是 产生剧烈的爆炸
When cold water meets molten lava, the result can be: powerful explosions
整个海岸线都将淹没
that sink entire coastlines...
或者是延伸到内陆复杂的水下洞穴网络
or complex networks of underwater caves stretching far inland.
这些洞穴是喜欢黑暗的海洋生物的家园
These caves are home to sea creatures that prefer the dark.
与外界隔绝
Isolated from the outside world
超现实主义的生命形式在兰萨罗特的一个海底洞穴中发展起来
surreal life forms have developed in a submarine cave on Lanzarote.
小小的白色螃蟹 只有一厘米长 完全失明
Tiny, white crabs, barely a centimeter long, completely blind.
魟鱼自古以来就生活在海洋里
Rays have inhabited the seas since ancient times.
这些奇异的天使鲨（太平洋扁鲨）也是如此。
as have these bizarre angel sharks.
随着岛屿从海底升起
As the islands rose from the seabed,
这些生物必须适应环境的变化
these creatures had to adapt to their changed environment.
越来越多的物种从深海中出现
More and more species emerged from the deep.
耶罗岛出现于100万年前
The island of El Hierro arose just one million years ago
是该群岛中最年轻 最小的岛屿
making it the archipelago's youngest and smallest island.
它是一类祖先来自于非洲的动物的家园
It was home to an animal whose ancestors came from Africa.
但现在它们只有最后一个避难所“萨尔莫岩”
But now has one last refuge: tiny, inaccessible "Roque Chico de Salmor".
但这里是最后一个
But there is one.
这是耶罗巨蜥
It’s the El Hierro giant lizard.
贫瘠的岩石上生活着150到200只巨蜥
Between150 and 200 of them live on the barren rock.
尽管很显然缺乏食物 他们能长到半米多
They grow to more than half a meter, despite the apparent lack of food.
稀疏的植被供养不了这么多蜥蜴
The sparse vegetation shouldn’t support so many lizards
然而 这些动物在这里找到了繁殖的资源
and yet these animals even find the energy to reproduce here.
像耶罗岛的岩石海岸一样
Like the rocky coast of El Hierro,
陡峭且贫瘠的泰德峰对生命充满了敌意
the craggy peak of the “Teide” is hostile to life and barren.
冰冷 酷热 稀薄干燥的空气和强烈的紫外线
Freezing cold, blistering heat, thin, dry air and powerful ultraviolet rays
就是这座火山所有的情况
are the lot of this volcano.
泰德牛舌草能够承受恶劣的条件
The Mount Teide bugloss can withstand the difficult conditions
长出一座三米高的红花塔
growing a tower of red blossom three meters high.
但一生只开一次
But it only manages this once in its life.
花越多 它被路过的昆虫授粉的机会就越大
The more flowers, the higher its chance of being pollinated by passing insects.
它所有的精力都集中在创造下一代的希望上
All its energy focused on this one hope of creating the next generation.
在远离大陆的地方 不同的物种进化出了非常特殊的能力
Far from the mainland, different species developed with very specific abilities.
在特内里费岛的岩石露头上有地球上最濒危的植物之一
On a rocky outcrop on Tenerife lives one of the most endangered plants on earth.
金斑百脉根 世界上只剩下11个
Lotus Maculatus:there are just 11 left in the world.
这种植物为了生存和爬行动物形成了独特的伙伴关系
This plant entered into a unique partnership to survive with a reptile.
蜥蜴以这种植物的花朵为食
The lizards feed on the plant's blossoms.
金斑百脉根香甜的花蜜特别可口
The sweet nectar of the Lotus Maculatus is especially tasty.
植物存活的秘密
The secret of the plant's survival:
它的花粉位于花的顶端
its pollen is located on the tip of the blossoms.
当蜥蜴伸展身体寻找花蜜时 花粉被带到它的头上
When the lizard stretches for the nectar, pollen is brushed on to its head.
然后蜥蜴转移到下一株植物时 就可以给它授粉
The lizard then moves on to the next plant, and pollinates it.
没有蜥蜴 金斑百脉根就无法繁殖 它将会永远消失
Without the lizards, Lotus Maculatus couldn’t reproduce. It would vanish forever.
加那利洋流从北方带来更冰冷的水
The Canary current brings colder water from the North;
与之相伴的是一种美丽却致命的生物
and with it a beautiful but deadly creature:
葡萄牙战舰水母
the Portuguese Man o’ Wars.
它有毒的触须使它成为海洋中最致命的猎手之一
Its venomous tentacles make it one of the ocean's deadliest hunters.
它的毒见效快且致命
The poison works quickly and is fatal.
气泡就像一张帆
A bubble of gas acts as a sail,
带着它在海面上航行
carrying it over the ocean’s surface.
幼小的军舰鱼对的水母的毒液免疫
The young pompano fish is immune to the Man o War's venom,
并享受着被这种危险的水生动物所保护
and enjoys the protection of this dangerous hydrozoan.
红海龟已经完成了几千公里的旅程
The loggerhead sea turtle has completed a journey of several thousand kilometers.
舟鰤在穿越大西洋的漫长旅途中陪伴着海龟
Pilot fish accompanied the turtle on its long journey across the Atlantic.
在公海上 任何形式的掩护都是大受欢迎的
In the open sea, any form of cover is welcome.
有时 成群的小鱼也会跟在乌龟后面
Sometimes, swarms of small fish follow in the turtle's wake.
这条成年扳机鱼看起来迷失在了无尽的蓝色中
This fully-grown trigger fish looks lost in the endless blue.
他在寻找同伴
He’s looking for company.
然而 海龟显然不是来找新朋友的
Apparently, however, the sea turtle is not in the market for a new friend.
随后 双方抛开他们不同的差异 一起继续旅程
Then the two put aside their differences and continue the journey together.
大型的大西洋斑海豚群穿过海洋
Large schools of Atlantic spotted dolphins cut through the ocean.
加那利群岛的水域盛产鱼类
The waters of the Canary Islands are rich in fish
这些海豚是这里的常客
and these dolphins are frequent visitors here.
它们与许多其他海洋哺乳动物共享海洋
They share the seas with many other marine mammals.
宽吻海豚是大家在所有海豚中最常见的一种
Bottlenoses are the most familiar of all dolphins.
由年长的有经验的雄性带领
Schools are led by older, experienced males.
宽吻海豚通过一种复杂的语言交流
Bottlenose dolphins communicate via a complex language.
几十年来科学家们一直在试图破译它
For decades, scientists have been trying to decode it...
希望有一天 我们能够和他们交流
In the hope that one day, we shall be able to communicate with them.
来自寒带和热带水域的海洋哺乳动物在加那利群岛附近相遇
Marine mammals from both cold and tropical waters meet off the Canaries.
有些只是路过 有些一年四季都在这里生活
Some are just passing through, others live here all year round.
像海豚一样 长肢领航鲸是海洋游牧民
Like dolphins, long-finned pilot whales are mostly ocean nomads.
但在特内里费和戈梅拉之间的海峡 那儿是例外
But these make an exception in the straits between Tenerife
他们将在那里度过一生
and La Gomera - where they will spend their entire lives.
这些鲸生活在亲密的家族群里
These whales live in close family communities.
每个小群由一个经验丰富的成年鲸领导
Each group is led by an experienced adult,
无条件的受到其他同伴的信任
blindly trusted by the others.
这就是为什么它们被称为领航鲸
That’s why they’re known as pilot whales.
作为一个复杂的社会
As any sophisticated society,
领航鲸都在不断地互相交流
pilot whales are constantly communicating with each other
用每分钟发出40次的高分贝哨子
with high-pitched whistles,sounding up to 40 times a minute.
每个族群都有自己的方言
Each family has its own dialect.
因此 它们可以在远距离协调它们的行动
Thus they can coordinate their movements over great distances.
他们复杂的歌曲对他们的安危至关重要
Their complex songs are crucial for their well being.
领航鲸开发出一种极其灵敏的声纳系统探测猎物
The pilot whales have developed an extremely sensitive sonar system to detect prey.
虽然鲸鱼大部分时间在海面上
Although the whales spend much of their time on the surface,
但它们主要捕食大型深海乌贼
they mainly hunt large, deep- sea squid.
即使是在水下800到1000米
They can pinpoint their prey's location with great accuracy,
它们也能非常精确地确定猎物的位置
even 800 to 1000 meters below the surface.
当潜水时 鲸鱼们就展开紧密的合作
While diving, the whales work together closely.
一旦它们消失在海底 它们的生存就取决于它们的亲属了
Once they vanish into the depths, their survival depends on their relatives.
东北信风有很多不同的名字
The north-east trade wind has so many different names,
但在加那利群岛 它被称为“阿里西奥”
but on the Canary Islands it’s known as "Alisio".
在飞越大西洋的漫长旅途中 “阿里西奥”收集了大量的水分
During its long journey over the Atlantic, "Alisio" collects a great deal of moisture.
兰萨罗特和富埃特文图拉太平坦了
Lanzarote and Fuerteventura are too flat.
云层毫无困难地飘过火山山丘
The clouds drift over the volcanic hillocks without difficulty.
然而 当它们到特内里费岛 戈梅拉岛或帕尔马时
However, when they encounter Tenerife, La Gomera or La Palma,
巨大的云堤就会沿着群岛陡峭的侧翼堆积起来
great cloud-banks mass along the islands' steep flanks.
它们被迫向上 冷却并凝结
They’re forced upwards, they cool and their water condenses,
给独特的自然宝藏赋予了生命
giving life to a unique natural treasure:
亚热带常绿阔叶林（月桂林）
subtropical laurel forest.
这些古老的森林只在加那利群岛被发现
These ancient forests are found only on the Canary Islands.
高大的月桂树“挤”着云的水分
The mighty laurel trees "milk" the clouds of their moisture,
水从树叶上滴落到地上
the water drips from the leaves to the ground.
实际降雨量很少 这里有着瀑布和小溪
With little actual rainfall, there are waterfalls and streams.
森林的每一个表面都是潮湿的
Every surface in the forest is damp.
真菌 苔藓和蕨类植物生长在树上
Fungi, moss and ferns grow on the trees.
最令人印象深刻的月桂林
The most impressive laurel forest
是在拉戈梅拉的加拉霍奈国家公园
is in the Garajonay National Park on La Gomera.
时间 似乎在这里一动不动
Time.seems to stand still here.
这些森林是活化石
These forests are living fossils
它们从第三纪就存在了
They have existed since the Tertiary Era.
250多万年前
Over two and a half million years ago,
这样的森林覆盖了整个地中海地区
forests like this covered the whole Mediterranean region.
当冰河时代气候变冷时 这些森林消失了
When the climate cooled during the Ice Age,those forests disappeared.
而他们在加那利群岛上幸存下来
They survived on the Canary Islands.
森林仍然受制于信风
The forests remain hostage to the trade winds.The ancient flora will vanish
如果阿里西奥不再从大西洋带来湿气 古老的植物群将会消失
if Alisio no longer brings moisture from the Atlantic.
这些神秘的云雾林应该是发现神秘生物的完美之地
These mystical cloud forests should be the perfect place to discover mythical creatures.
这里是一种特别稀有动物的家园
And they are home to a particularly rare animal.
波氏鸽
The Bolle's pigeon.
这些害羞的鸟儿已经所剩无几了
Very few of these shy birds remain.
他们喜欢躲在云雾林深处
They prefer to hide in the depths of the cloud forest.
波氏鸽是很久以前从这里经过的欧洲木鸽的后代
Bolle's pigeons are the descendants of European wood pigeons that passed through here long ago.
他们定居在森林里 从未离开过
They settled in the forests, and never left.
在这个遥远的群岛上 这些鸟进化成了一个独特的物种
On this remote archipelago, the birds developed into a distinct species.
云雾林是地球上最多样化的栖息地之一
Cloud forests are among the most diverse habitats on earth.
几乎所有的植物都只能在这里发现
Almost all the plants are found only here.
这是它们中的许多种类能够生存的唯一地方
This is the only place many of them could survive.
这些是地球上最稀有 最濒危的植物之一 它们非常敏感
These are among the rarest, most endangered plants on earth. They are extremely sensitive.
微小的气候变化都可能让它们永远从地球上消失
The smallest change in climate and they could vanish from the earth forever.
金丝雀风铃草也是第三纪遗留下的物种
Canarina Canariensis, the Canary bellflower, is a relict of the Tertiary Era too.
它明亮的花萼内产出大量的花蜜
Large amounts of nectar are produced within its bright calyx.
曾经为这些植物授粉的昆虫现在已经灭绝了
The insects that once pollinated these plants are now extinct.
这种植物被迫适应环境 现在靠鸟类授粉
This plant was forced to adapt, and now it’s pollinated by birds.
纤弱的棕柳莺被风铃花的花蜜所吸引
The delicate chiffchaff is attracted by the bellflower's nectar.
它用它尖长的嘴去够花的深处
It uses its narrow beak to reach deep into the flower.
棕柳莺取代了已经灭绝的物种作为该植物的传粉者
The chiffchaff has replaced extinct species as this plant's pollinator.
加那利群岛的毛地黄吸引了一些柳莺
The Canary Island foxglove attracts leaf warbler birds.
这种花的形状与这种鸟很相配
The flower's shape is perfectly adapted to the bird.
当柳莺去取花蜜时 花粉会刷到它的头上
As the leaf warbler reaches for the nectar pollen is brushed on to its head.
然后小鸟把花粉带到下一朵花
The bird then carries the pollen to the next flower.
富埃特文图拉已经四年没有下雨了
There’s been no rain on Fuerteventura for four years.
这个夏天特别炎热干燥 越来越难生存
This summer is particularly hot and dry,and life is increasingly difficult
即使是有沙漠血统的翎颌鸨也难以生存
even for the houbara bustards with their desert ancestry.
但还是有希望的
But there is hope
随着冬天的到来 炎热干燥的地区逐渐减少
As winter begins, the hot, dry Calima weakens.
风一转 从北方带来了雨云
The wind turns, bringing rain clouds from the north.
这就是翎颌鸨一直在等待的
This is what the bustards have been waiting for.
第一批阵雨接近海岸 到达干燥的岛屿
The first showers approach the coast and reach the parched island.
雨虽短 但很大
The rains are brief, but heavy.
翎颌鸨充分利用了这次降水
The bustard makes the most of the precipitation.
雨水的到来意味着对干旱的土地和鸟类的救赎
The rain means salvation for the parched landscape and its birds.
不久 沙漠将被丰富的新鲜绿色植被所改变
Soon the desert will be transformed by an abundance of fresh, green vegetation.
翎颌鸨挑食
The bustards can afford to be picky,
只选择最嫩的新鲜嫩芽
choosing only the most tender fresh shoots.
但现在食物也许不是最重要的
But perhaps food is not the top priority right now.
雨带来了奇观
The rain brings the return of a bizarre spectacle...
雄性翎颌鸨热情的充分准备着
that the males prepare for enthusiastically.
好戏上演 现在是交配季节
Showtime. It’s the mating season.
翎颌鸨--动物世界的卡萨诺瓦
Houbara bustards - the Casanovas of the animal world.
为了给雌性留下深刻印象
No gesture is too grand.
任何姿态都不过分 它们会做任何事情
They’ll do absolutely anything to impress the females.
他们日复一日地成为焦点
They hog the spotlight, day-in, day-out.
他们日复一日地成为焦点 但要成为明星是一项艰巨的任务 而且使他筋疲力尽
But being a star is demanding - and exhausting.
这种疯狂可以持续六个月
The madness can continue for up to six months.
最有耐力的鸟最有可能找到配偶。
The birds with the greatest staying power are most likely to find a mate.
雌性的反应被仔细观察着
The females’ reaction is carefully observed.
如果被感动到了 他们将会慢慢地接近
If they are impressed, they will slowly approach.
退出舞台
Exit stage left.
短暂的休息后继续它们的节目
A quick break - and then the show will go on.
多亏了下雨 沙漠现在开花了
Thanks to the rains, the desert is now in bloom.
加那利群岛的野翁鸟已经交配完毕
The Canary Islands stonechats have mated.
在没有降雨的年份里 食物太少 鸟类也不会繁殖
In years without rainfall there is too little food, and the birds don't breed.
但今年是个好年头
But this is a good year.
这些小鸟只能在富埃特文图拉被称为“巴兰科斯”的潮湿沟壑中能找到
These small birds are found only in damp gullies called "barrancos" on Fuerteventura.
父母在飞行中捕捉昆虫 不断地喂养它们的后代
The parents catch insects in flight and feed them ceaselessly to their young.
他们从不休息
They never rest.
一边进入这么多东西 另一边就得腾出空间
With so much going in at one end, space has to be made at the other.
父母也分担清理的工作
The parents share cleaning duties too.
与雄性不同的是
Unlike the males,
雌性翎颌鸨是一种害羞的动物，都避免引起注意
female houbara bustards are shy creatures and avoid drawing attention to themselves.
在广阔的火山地形中 谨慎是保护幼崽的唯一方法
In the wide-open volcanic landscape, this caution is the only way to protect their young.
它们把伪装得十分完美的蛋产在暴露在岩石之间
They lay their perfectly-camouflaged eggs, exposed between the rocks.
它们会在巢里待三个星期
They’ll stay on the nest for three weeks,
只离开一会儿去找食物
leaving only briefly to find food.
与此同时 雄性继续它们的歌声和舞蹈
The males, meanwhile, continue their song and dance.
他们很多终会死于疲劳
Quite a few will eventually die of exhaustion.
另一边 雌性会产下新的生命
The females, on the other hand, will produce new life.
来自空中的危机
Danger from the air.
褐颈渡鸦
Brown-necked ravens.
这些聪明的食肉动物都在寻找无保护的巢穴
These intelligent predators are on the lookout for an unprotected nest.
母鸨处于高度戒备状态
The female bustard is on high alert.
如果渡鸦发现了她的巢穴 它们会毁掉她的蛋
If the ravens discover her nest,they’ll destroy her eggs.
乳色走鸻喜欢跑而不喜欢飞
The cream-coloured courser prefers running to flying.
这只优雅的鸟以直立的姿势扫视周围的危险
This graceful bird scans its surroundings for danger, in an upright position,
尽可能地把脖子伸长
stretching its neck as high as it can.
它沙黄色的羽毛 在岩石层中几乎看不见
With its sand-colored plumage it’s almost invisible in the rocky scree.
这些鸟在开阔地带产卵
These birds lay their eggs in open terrain.
严酷 多石的沙漠中 母亲柔软的羽毛是它们唯一的保护
The mother's soft plumage is their only protection in the harsh, stony desert.
乳色走鸻是害羞且安静的鸟类
Cream-colored coursers are shy, quiet birds.
但母亲们会用细腻 高亢的叫声来鼓励未出生的幼崽
But mothers encourage their unborn chicks with delicate, high-pitched calls.
很快 后代就会做出回应
Soon the offspring will reply.
但首先他们必须度过最危险的时期
But first they must survive the most perilous period.
褐颈渡鸦停在一个古老的火山锥上
Brown-necked ravens settle on an old volcanic cone.
在这片土地上几乎没有什么猎物
There’s little to hunt in this landscape,
但在繁殖季节 渡鸦的目标是蛋和无助的小鸟们
but during the breeding season the ravens target eggs, and helpless chicks.
石鸻做每件事都很慢 以免引起别人的注意
The stone-curlew does everything slowly, to avoid drawing attention to itself...
褐颈渡鸦继续在空中巡逻
The brown-necked ravens continue to patrol the skies.
当走鸻感到威胁时
When the courser feels threatened,
它会蹲下身子 依靠它的自然伪装
it hunkers down, relying on its natural camouflage.
徘徊不去的母亲只有在最后有机会的时刻才会行动 把渡鸦从蛋里拽出来
Brooding mothers only move at the last possible moment to draw the ravens away from their eggs.
但渡鸦很聪明
But ravens are intelligent birds.
他们注意着周围环境的细微变化
They spot the slightest change in the surrounding landscape.
鸟蛋很容易被捕获
Bird's eggs are easy prey.
这一次 妈妈不够细心
This time, the mother wasn’t careful enough.
她不得不看着她的孩子被消灭
She must watch as her brood is destroyed.
对其他人来说 生存的斗争还在继续
For the others, the struggle for survival continues.
这只雌鸟比较幸运
This female is more fortunate.
她的蛋至今仍未被发现
Her eggs have remained undiscovered - so far.
经过三个漫长的星期 这些蛋就会孵化出来
After three long weeks, the eggs will soon hatch.
一场冬季风暴在北大西洋聚集
A winter storm has gathered in the north Atlantic.
现在它席卷了整个岛屿
Now it sweeps the islands.
飓风使海水变得狂暴
Hurricanes whip the water into a frenzy
气温降到零度以下
Temperatures drop below zero.
暴雪即将来临
A blizzard follows.
这是加那利群岛前所未闻的天气Unheard-of weather for the Canaries.
雪下了好几天
The snow falls for days.
大量的冷空气与火山的两翼相撞
Masses of cold air collide with the flanks of the high volcanoes --
火山变成了白色的海洋
the Fire Mountains become a sea of white.
在地势较低的地方 水从陡峭的悬崖上倾泻而下
At lower levels water pours over the steep cliffs.
现在月桂林像海绵一样吸收水分
Now the laurel forest can absorb moisture like a sponge.
灌木锦葵热情的开着花
The Canary Shrub Mallow with its intense blossoms bring color
给冬日森林单调的绿色带来了色彩
to the monotonous green of the wintry forest.
就像成熟的浆果鹃果实一样
As do the ripe fruit of the Canaries Madrone.
它现在开花是有原因的
There’s a reason the shrub mallow is blooming now.
为了吸引鸟类
It’s to attract birds.
棕柳莺想要得到花蜜
The chiffchaff wants to get to the nectar.
当它去够花蜜时
As it reaches in,
它的头触碰到植物的雄蕊 使花粉散开
its head touches the plant's stamens, shaking the pollen loose
然后把它移植到下一朵花
and transferring it to the next blossom.
当然 与岛屿最密切相关的动物是金丝雀
Of course, the animal most associated with the islands is the canary.
这是它的祖先 大西洋金丝雀
This is its original ancestor, the Atlantic canary.
因为它的歌声优美动听 西班牙探险家把这种鸟带到欧洲
Spanish explorers took the bird to Europe for its beautiful song
作为奢华和有教养的象征
and as a symbol of luxury and sophistication.
金丝雀喜欢甜食
Canaries like sweet things.
它们曾经被称为糖鸟
They were once known as sugar-birds.
今天的金丝雀仍然被杨梅成熟的果实所吸引着
Today’s canaries are still drawn to the ripe fruit of the arbutus tree.
它们落下的水果留给了别人
The fruit they drop is left behind for others.
例如 燕雀
For example,the common chaffinch.
在一个被海洋包围的岛上 你不能太挑剔
You can’t be too selective on an island surrounded by the ocean.
资源很稀缺
Resources are scarce,
只需要适应一切就好
You just have to adapt.
过了几天 暴风雨终于离开
After days, the storm finally moves on.
温度迅速上升
Temperatures rise rapidly.
雪很快就会消失
The snow will soon vanish.
但有一段时间 泰德峰将展现出非常陌生的面貌
But for a while "El Teide" shows a very unfamiliar face.
富埃特文图拉的风暴也结束了
On Fuerteventura too, the storm is over.
第一只乳色走鸻从蛋里孵出来了
The first cream-colored courser has hatched from its egg.
湿湿的什么也看不到 十分无助
wet, blind and completely helpless.
没有妈妈的温度 这只小鸟无法生存
This young bird can’t survive without its mother's warmth,
它必须在几小时内离开鸟巢
but it’ll have to leave the nest in just a few hours.
雌鸟现在必须密切关注着幼崽
The mother must now pay close attention to the brood.
第二只随时都会孵出来
The second chick will hatch at any moment.
这些石鸻在黎明时破壳而出
These stone-curlews hatched at dawn.
它们还有些不稳定
They’re still a little unsteady.
唯一的伪装是它们斑驳的羽毛
Their only protection is the camouflage of their mottled plumage.
渡鸦特别喜欢刚孵出的小鸟
A raven is particularly keen on freshly-hatched chicks.
它在观察一切可能泄露踪迹的动作
It’s watching for tell-tale movements.
同时 小走鸻的羽毛已经干了
Meanwhile, the courser chick's feathers have dried.
这只小鸟决心探索它周围的环境
The young bird is determined to explore its surroundings.
父母们现在特别谨慎 观察着周围的环境
The parents are now especially attentive, surveying the landscape.
第二只小鸟从蛋里出来了
The second chick emerges from its egg.
这是一个关键时刻
This is a critical moment...
母亲立刻把鲜亮的蛋壳剥了下来
The mother immediately removes the bright eggshell.
一定不能引起渡鸦的注意
It mustn’t attract the attention of the raven.
清晨时分 石鸻开始诱带它们的幼鸟离开巢穴
It’s early morning, and the stone-curlews begin to coax their young out of the nest.
他们几乎还站不起来 但是时候去探险了
They’re barely able to stand, but it is time to explore.
一步一步
Step by unsteady step,
刚孵出的小鸟在石头地上走来走去。
the freshly-hatched chicks make their way over the stony ground.
一只只有四个小时大的走鸻也开始了它们的第一次旅程
With one just four hours old, the courser chicks are also starting on their first journey.
以食物为诱饵
Using food as a lure
父母把孩子带到离巢越远越好
the parents lead their young as far from the nest as possible.
他们还需要四个星期才能飞起来
It’ll be four long weeks before they can fly,
而最大的危机已经过去
and the greatest danger will have passed.
冬天即将结束
Winter draws to an end.
在公海上，有些事情正在发生变化
On the open sea, something is changing.
下面的水在上升 还带着一个奇怪的生物
Water from below is rising, bringing a bizarre creature with it.
看起来像某种水母的东西实际上是6万个深海乌贼卵
What looks like some form of jellyfish is in fact 60,000 eggs of a deep-sea diamond squid.
它们必须在表面生长
They must develop on the surface.
水里充满浮游生物 吸引了大量的鱼
The water is full of plankton, attracting great numbers of fish.
反过来 鱼吸引了飞越大西洋的鸟类
They, in turn, attract birds that have crossed the Atlantic.
红嘴鸥在南美洲过冬
The Scopoli's shearwaters have spent the winter in South America.
它们会在春天回到加那利群岛养育幼崽
They return to the Canary Islands in spring to rear their young.
它们在陡峭的悬崖上筑巢
They nest in niches in the steep cliffs.
海鸥在海上度过一天
The shearwaters spend the day out at sea,
把它们无助的幼鸟留在巢里
leaving their helpless young behind in the nest.
父母经常飞几百公里去觅食
The parents often fly hundreds of kilometers for food.
鱼群并不总是那么容易能找到
Shoals of fish are not always easy to find.
幸运的是 鸟类有聪明的盟友
Fortunately, the birds have intelligent allies: .
海豚
dolphins
它们快速有效地利用回声定位来寻找猎物
Rapidly and efficiently, they use echolocation to find their prey.
捕鱼像是一个游戏
Coralling the fish is almost a game.
现在海鸥加入到捕猎中来
Now the shearwaters can join in the hunt.
海豚和海鸥一起
Dolphins and shearwaters go in together.
捕猎看起来像一个优雅 复杂的芭蕾舞
The hunt looks like a graceful, complex ballet,
但对海鸥和它们的幼崽来说 这是关乎生存的问题
but for the shearwaters and their young it’s a matter of survival.
大西洋的鱼类数量正在迅速下降
Fish populations in the Atlantic are sinking rapidly.
越来越难找到食物了
It’s becoming increasingly difficult to find food.
打猎成功了
The hunt was a success.
但是这些鸟只有在天黑后才会回到它们的幼鸟身边
But the birds will only return to their young after dark.
在夜幕的掩护下
Under cover of night
长相怪异的食肉动物从它们的藏身之处冒了出来
strange-looking predators emerge from their hiding places.
一只章鱼用它的触须扫过海床来寻找猎物
An octopus scan the sea bed for prey with its tentacles.
一只燕魟花了一整天躺在沙上
A butterfly ray spent the day lying in the sand.
天使鲨也是夜间捕食者
Angel sharks, too, are nocturnal hunters.
陡峭的悬崖上 幽灵般的哭声在海面上回荡
From the steep cliffs, ghostly cries ring out over the sea.
海鸥靠嗅觉在黑暗中航行
The shearwaters have finally returned to their breeding holes,
终于回到了它们的繁殖地
navigating in the dark by their sense of smell.
几乎每一种着陆方式都以迫降告终
Almost every approach ends in a crash landing.
一旦这些鸟回到陆地上
Once the birds are back on land
它们就会向它们的邻居打招呼
they greet their neighbors
是时候喂他们的幼崽了
Then It’s time to feed their single chick.
这只小鸟已经等了很长时间了
The young bird has been waiting a long time for this moment.
现在 只有几个小时来享受家庭生活和休息
Now, there are just a few hours to enjoy family life and get some rest.
海鸥又要起飞了
Once again, the shearwaters prepare to take off.
天还没亮 它们就出海去了
Long before day breaks, the birds are off out to sea.
尖叫的海鸥环绕着“萨尔莫岩”
Shrieking gulls circle the "Roque Chico de Salmor".
它们在海面上升起的岩石上繁衍生息
They breed in a large colony, on this sheer rock rising out of the sea.
幼崽们藏起来
The chicks hide,
只有当父母带着新鲜的食物来的时候才会露出头来
only showing themselves when the parents arrive with fresh food.
海鸥群是耶罗巨蜥的天赐之物
The gull colony is a godsend for the El Hierro giant lizard.
没有海鸥 蜥蜴就会饿死在光秃秃的岩石上
Without the gulls, the lizards would starve on the barren rock.
幼崽笨拙而脆弱
The chicks are clumsy and vulnerable.
饥饿的蜥蜴从近处观察着它们
The hungry lizards observe them from close by.
每分钟都有很多成年海鸥从岩石上飞走
Every minute, more adult gulls take off from the rock and fly away.
他们的目的地是从耶罗岛高原到这块小岩石
Their destination: the high plateau on El Hierro - the mainland to this tiny rock.
高原是蝗虫群的家园
The plateau is home to a swarm of grasshoppers.
从圣经时代起 这些摩洛哥蝗虫就被认为是瘟疫
Since biblical times these Moroccan locusts have been considered a plague.
但对海鸥来说 它们是上帝赐予的福气 只要用嘴叼住它们就行了
But they’re a blessing for the gulls, looking simply grab them in their beaks.
这场盛宴将持续一个月
The great feast lasts a month,
足够长的时间可以用这些营养丰富的昆虫蛋白来养育后代
long enough to rear their young on nutritious insect protein.
海鸥满载着新鲜的食物踏上了返程之路
The gulls make their return journey, laden with fresh food.
鸟儿们带去的物资确保了岩石上的幼鸟不会挨饿
An ornithological airlift ensures the chicks on the rock never go hungry.
蝗虫的数量远远多于幼崽能吃下的数量
There are more grasshoppers than the chicks could possibly consume.
有时候 他们不得不等待
Occasionally, they will have to wait
成鸟试图把猎物的残骸带走
while the adult tries to bring up the remains of its prey.
这是蜥蜴一直在等待的时刻
This is the moment the lizards have been waiting for.
它们吃海鸥留下的任何东西
They eat whatever the gulls have left behind.
在这个繁殖期 有足够多的昆虫在四处走动
There’s more than enough insects to go round, in this breeding season.
多余的蛋白质帮助蜥蜴度过一年中的余下时间 甚至足以繁殖后代
The excess protein helps the lizards see out the rest of the year - and even breed.
这是他们生存的秘密
It’s the secret of their survival.
“萨尔莫岩”为它们提供了庇护所 而在繁殖的海鸥则负责了其余的工作
"Roque de Salmor" gives them shelter - the breeding gulls do the rest.
加那利群岛的生活主要是与熔岩和火山灰为伴
Life on the Canary Islands is dominated by lava and ash.
火山脚下既没有水也没有肥沃的土地
At the foot of the volcanoes is neither water nor fertile earth.
然而 一个顽强的战士幸存了下来:加那利松
And yet, a tough fighter survives: the Canary Islands pine.
这棵树用坚固的树根把自己固定在地上
This tree uses a strong tap root to anchor itself to the ground.
额外的根系分布在一个广阔的网络中 从广阔的区域收集营养
Additional roots spread out in a wide network, to gather nutrients from a broad area.
因为根系是如此的广阔 所以树与树之间拥有足够的空间
Because the root systems are so expansive, there’s plenty of space between the trees.
泰德峰周围稀疏的松林是一种鸟类的家园
The sparse pine forests around Mount Teide are home to a bird
它的起源至今仍是个谜
whose origins remain shrouded in mystery.
特内里费蓝燕雀
The Tenerife blue chaffinch.
雄性的羽毛是引人注目的蓝色
The plumage of the males is a striking shade of blue.
燕雀喜欢山区
The chaffinches prefer mountainous regions,
在最大最古老的松树上筑巢
building their nests in the largest, oldest pines.
雀类繁殖较晚
The finches breed late.
松树的种子富含蛋白质
The seeds of the pine trees are rich in protein.
燕雀的繁殖季节与树木的生命周期相匹配
The chaffinches have matched their breeding season to the life cycle of the trees.
夏天 成熟的球果掉到地上
In summer, ripe cones fall to the ground.
鸟类很容易得到营养丰富的种子
It’s easy for the birds to get to the nourishing seeds.
这是抚育幼崽的最佳时机
This is the perfect time to rear their young.
在2000米及以上的高度
At heights of 2,000 metres and more,
巨大的加那利松能抵御寒冷 炎热和干旱
giant Canary Island Pines withstand cold, heat and drought.
但是在火山附近生存是非常危险的
But living in a volcanic neighborhood can be extremely dangerous.
炽热的熔岩会点燃它接触到的任何东西
Glowing lava ignites whatever it touches.
火山爆发摧毁了沿途的一切
Volcanic eruptions destroy everything in their path.
火势蔓延 毫无阻碍 在大地上留下了疤痕
Fires spread, unhindered, scarring the landscape.
一旦大火过去 整个破坏的程度显而易见
Once the fire has run its course, the full extent of the destruction becomes apparent.
加那利松是唯一屹立不倒的生命
The Canary Island pines are the only life left standing.
它们生存的秘密就在于它们的针叶 针叶很快就会被点燃 然后熄灭
The secret of their survival lies in their needles, that burn up fast and then extinguish.
在这片稀疏的森林里 火焰没有别的东西可以燃烧 就过去了
The flames have little else to consume in the sparse forest, and pass on.
夏天 凉爽 潮湿的
In summer, the cooler,
“阿里西奥”信风到达该岛的北侧
amper "Alisio" trade wind reaches the northern side of the island.
陡峭的山坡阻碍了它的前进
The steep slopes block its progress.
上升的空气冷却和凝结
Rising air cools and condenses.
浓密的云飘入干枯的森林
Thick clouds flow into the parched forests.
在一些地方 神奇的森林拔地而起
In places, magical forests have sprung up,
与干旱的火山沙漠相距甚远
a far cry from the arid volcanic desert.
这里的生命是由云雾决定的
Life in here is determined by the clouds.
雾气帮助苔藓 蕨类植物和苔藓在树上生长
The mist helps lichen,ferns and moss grow on the trees.
在这里 松针保证了长青天堂的存在
Here, the pine needles guarantee the existence of an evergreen paradise.
细长的针叶梳在云上
The long, thin needles comb the clouds,
形成水滴 水滴直接落在树根部
creating water drops that fall directly on to the roots.
一旦潮湿 寒冷的阿里西奥风慢慢减弱
As soon as the damp, chill Alisio wind loses its force,
那种非洲的感觉又回来了
the feel of Africa returns.
空气变得朦胧 温度也在上升
The air becomes hazy temperatures rise.
兰萨罗特岛北部
North of Lanzarote,
在有人居住的岛屿的远方 有一个小群岛
away from the inhabited islands, there’s a small archipelago.
岛
Chinijo.
这是大西洋上的一些裸露的火山岩
It’s a handful of bare volcanic rocks in the Atlantic Ocean.
然而 这个群岛吸引了一些非常不寻常的游牧者
Yet this archipelago attracts some very unusual nomads.
游隼通常生活在马达加斯加
Eleonora's falcons usually live in Madagascar.
但是有一些在这些没有植被的火山岩上繁衍生息
But several come to breed on these volcanic rocks, devoid of vegetation.
这种猎鹰只需要三周就能穿越撒哈拉沙漠
To reach the tiny island of Alegranza,
到达阿莱格兰萨岛
falcons cross the Sahara Desert in just three weeks.
大约150对鹰为了繁殖后代定居在这片严酷的土地上
About 150 breeding pairs settle in the harsh landscape.
游隼是群居鸟类 在松散的群落中繁殖
Eleonora's falcons are social birds and breed in loose colonies.
正值盛夏 但猎鹰才刚刚开始孵化
It’s the height of summer, but the falcons have only just begun to brood.
这里位于拉戈梅拉和特内里费之间的海峡
Here in the strait between La Gomera and Tenerife,
没有风，海面平静平静
there is no wind and the sea is smooth and calm.
领航鲸在海面上休息
Pilot whales relax on the surface.
八月 这些家庭成员在慢慢地漂流 他们的孩子出生了
Now, in August, the family groups gently drift and their young are born.
一个豆荚群的鲸都有亲缘关系
All the whales in a pod are related,
雄性与其他家族的雌性交配
so the males mate with females from other families
然后他们回到自己的群体 保护他们的部落
Then they return to their own pod, to protect their clan.
这些孩子和他们的母亲一起生活了四年
The young stay with their mothers for four years.
她的奉献是他们在公海上唯一的保护障
Her devotion is their only protection in the open Ocean.
当母亲去深海狩猎时
And when the mother goes hunting in the deep,
亲戚们、甚至是体型较大的雄性会照顾幼崽
relatives look after the young. Even the big males.
这头新生鲸刚出生一天
This new-born whale is barely a day old.
然而 并不是所有鲸都能熬过最初的几个小时
However,not all survive those first few hours.
这头幼崽已经死了好几天了
This calf has been dead for several days.
雄性不顾一切地让它浮在水面上 不愿放弃它
The male desperately keeps it afloat, unwilling to give up.
身体接触对鲸很重要
Physical contact is important for the whales.
会加强他们的家庭关系 给这个团体力量
It reinforces their family ties and gives the group the strength
忍受他们在公海上所面临的许多挑战
to endure the many challenges they face on the open seas.
隐藏在崎岖的悬崖之间
Hidden among the ragged cliffs,
刚孵出的游隼正在等待它们的父母回来
freshly-hatched Eleonora's falcon chicks wait for their parents to return.
成鹰们不知疲倦地在空中漫步 寻找食物
The adults tirelessly roam the skies, looking for food.
在繁殖的季节
During breeding season,
在繁殖季节,鹰会在海上捕食鸣禽
Eleonora's falcons hunt songbirds out at sea.
沿着非洲海岸向南飞行的小型鸟经常被卡利玛风吹过大西洋
Smaller birds flying south along the African coast are frequently blown out over the Atlantic by the Calima.
当精疲力竭的鸟儿们最终到达加那利群岛时
When the exhausted birds finally make it to the Canary Islands,
猎鹰们正在等着它们
the falcons are waiting.
这就是为什么它们会在今年晚些时候繁殖
That’s why Eleonora's falcons breed so late in the year:
它们调整了自己的行动 可以好好利用秋季迁徙的机会
they have adjusted their behaviour to take advantage of the autumn migration.
这是一个危险的战略
It’s a dangerous strategy.
如果候鸟不能到达 幼鹰就会饿死
If the migrant birds fail to arrive, the young falcons will starve.
父母喂养和照顾他们时
The chicks remain in the nest for six weeks.
幼崽还要在巢里呆六个星期
while the parents feed and take care for them.
正午时分 深色火山岩的温度可以达到40多摄氏度
The dark volcanic rock can reach more than 40 degrees Celsius at midday.
脆弱的幼崽不仅需要食物 还需要保护免受烈日的暴晒
The fragile brood needs not only food, but protection from the burning sun.
当父母外出打猎时
When the parents are away hunting,
阴暗度能决定它们的生死
can make the difference between life and death.
今年 许多候鸟被困在阿莱格兰萨附近
This year, many migrant birds were stranded near Alegranza.
这适合猎鹰的好季节
It’s a good season for the falcons.
它们的大部分幼崽将会存活下来
Most of their young will survive.
10月底
At the end of October,
这对父母开始了前往马达加斯加过冬的长途飞行
the parents embark on the long flight to their winter quarters in Madagascar.
幼崽随后独自跟上
The young birds will follow later - on their own.
在短短10周的时间里
At just 10 weeks,
它们必须独自飞完1万公里的距离
they have to cover a distance of 10,000 kilometres, alone.
它们在冬季风暴来临之前离开露出地面的岩石
They leave the rocky outcrops before the winter storms arrive.
明年 它们将回到在大西洋的岛屿
Next year.they’ll return to their islands in the Atlantic.
加那利群岛几百万年前从海洋中诞生
Born out of the ocean millions of years ago,
现在已经从火与灰的炼狱变成了亚热带天堂
the Canary Islands have turned from an inferno of fire and ash into a subtropical paradise.
远离非洲大陆的新陆地物种和独特的行为模式
New land species and unique behaviour patterns developed here too,
也在这里进化着
far from the African mainland.
整个群岛是一个封闭的世界
The entire archipelago is a confined world,
生命之间互相依赖
where one aspect of life depends on another.
如果一个部分出现问 整个系统就会崩溃
If just one element fails, the entire system could collapse.
如果这种情况真的发生
If that were to happen,
加那利群岛将回到数百万年前的样子
the Canary Islands would return to what they were millions of years ago:
一片贫瘠的火山沙漠
a barren volcanic desert.