成长在南极

John Downer

Its late spring. The emperors are growing up， having been born and raised in some of the most extreme conditions on Earth.

Since they were born two months ago， they have depended on their devoted parents for everything. With the frozen sea shrinking， each parent returns around once a week. They face the same problem—their chicks all look the same. The father checks the call—this ones an 1）imposter. Hes immediately hassled by more chicks， all trying to 2）cadge a meal. With over 2，000 chicks to inspect， checking them all could take a very long time. So he approaches each group in turn and tests who reacts to his call. A chick responds. He takes her clear of the huddle and completes further character checks. Its her tiny call that provides conclusive proof. She gets her just reward.

The emperor chicks introduction to water is a gradual affair. In places， the ice has melted into pools of 3）slush. Hes never met a surface he cant walk on. None of the chicks have ever swum before and it takes them all by surprise. This natural 4）paddling pool is the perfect chance to test out their 5）flippers for real. Swimming soon comes naturally. Although getting out is never as easy as getting in.

帝企鹅与水的接触循序渐进。有些地方的冰融化成一滩一滩的雪泥小池塘。他之前从未见过无法行走的表面，所有的企鹅雏鸟从未尝试过游泳。他们一开始都大吃一惊。这个天然形成的浅水池正是试用鳍状肢的绝好机会。他们很快就本能地学会了游泳，然而上岸可不像下水那样容易。

他们接着要面临更大的挑战，海燕飞回来了。小企鹅们聚集成圈，各就各位进行防御。虽然他们看着娇小、可爱，但也有近一米高，即便是海燕也惧怕他们三分。离得最近的小企鹅挺直身板，让自己显得更高大，以保护身后的小伙伴。他的反抗为大伙儿争取了时间，两方开始对峙。突然，来了位意外的盟友——一只阿德利企鹅。海燕和这种超级强悍的动物打过交道。阿德利企鹅自信地站在小帝企鹅和敌人中间，海燕放弃了，他知道自己没戏了。

小企鹅为今天准备好久了，他们终于要离开那个冰天雪地的地方，在海上生活了。受到群体力量的驱动，他们整齐划一地行动起来。他们果断地沿着冰缘线一路走，然后在最高点停了下来。他们已经做出了选择，这就是他们即将下海的地方。这里的落差至少有四米，这会是他们有生以来要跨出的最大一步。最终，一只小企鹅作出了决定，他开了个头，大伙儿逐渐跟了上来，一群小企鹅都下了海。他们生命中的最早阶段都在冰上度过，但海洋才是他们的归宿。