国家地理 追逐抹香鲸的水下摄影师(2)

Skerry captures images that are unique, memorable¹, and award winning -- but he has a higher ambition. As "a photojournalist first and foremost, I work with researchers and provide them with photographs that are useful" in their study of ocean flora² and fauna³, he says.

斯科利拍摄的影像是独特、令人难忘的，而且获得过奖项--但他有更大的野心。他说自己“主要是一名摄影记者，跟研究员一起工作，提供有帮助的照片，”供他们用于针对海洋动植物群的研究中。

Sperm⁴ whales are majestic⁵, intelligent, and maddeningly elusive⁶, escaping to ocean depths when pursued or spooked. Still, their ranks have been thinned by whaling, overfishing, and other contact with humans, to the point that the world's conservationists assess them as either vulnerable or endangered. Skerry wants his photos to inform the scientific research and education efforts that will bring whales more attention and potentially some relief. "I feel a sense of responsibility and urgency to make people care about the marine⁷ giants," he says. "I want to give them, for lack of a better word, some humanity."

抹香鲸很雄伟、聪明，并且难以捉摸到令人抓狂，它们被追赶或受惊吓时会逃往海洋深处。尽管如此，它们的族群数仍因捕鲸业、过度捕捞及其他和人类的接触而减少，以至于生态环保人士评估抹香鲸的状况不是濒危就是濒临灭绝。斯科利希望他的照片能为科学研究和教育提供信息，为鲸鱼带来更多关注。“我感到一种责任感和迫切性，想让人们关心这些海洋巨兽，”他说。“我想给它们一些人道关怀，没有比这更好的词了。”

1 memorable   

adj.值得回忆的，难忘的，特别的，显著的

参考例句：

• This was indeed the most memorable day of my life.这的确是我一生中最值得怀念的日子。
• The veteran soldier has fought many memorable battles.这个老兵参加过许多难忘的战斗。

2 flora   

n.(某一地区的)植物群

参考例句：

• The subtropical island has a remarkably rich native flora.这个亚热带岛屿有相当丰富的乡土植物种类。
• All flora need water and light.一切草木都需要水和阳光。

3 fauna   

n.(一个地区或时代的)所有动物，动物区系

参考例句：

• This National Park is an area with unique fauna and flora.该国家公园区域内具有独特的动物种群和植物种群。
• Fauna is a biological notion means all the animal life in a particular region or period. 动物群是一个生物学的概念，指的是一个特定时期或者地区的所有动物。

4 sperm   

n.精子，精液

参考例句：

• Only one sperm fertilises an egg.只有一个精子使卵子受精。
• In human reproduction,one female egg is usually fertilized by one sperm.在人体生殖过程中，一个精子使一个卵子受精。

5 majestic   

adj.雄伟的，壮丽的，庄严的，威严的，崇高的

参考例句：

• In the distance rose the majestic Alps.远处耸立着雄伟的阿尔卑斯山。
• He looks majestic in uniform.他穿上军装显得很威风。

6 elusive   

adj.难以表达(捉摸)的；令人困惑的；逃避的

参考例句：

• Try to catch the elusive charm of the original in translation.翻译时设法把握住原文中难以捉摸的风韵。
• Interpol have searched all the corners of the earth for the elusive hijackers.国际刑警组织已在世界各地搜查在逃的飞机劫持者。

7 marine   

adj.海的；海生的；航海的；海事的；n.水兵

参考例句：

• Marine creatures are those which live in the sea. 海洋生物是生存在海里的生物。
• When the war broke out,he volunteered for the Marine Corps.战争爆发时，他自愿参加了海军陆战队。