Tumblewords

Fractals Photos Poetry Prose Watercolor

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

X for ABC Wednesday

Xiphias, a swordfish.


According to Wikipedia, the swordfish is named after its bill resembling a sword.  This makes it superficially similar to other billfish such as marlin, but upon examination their physiology is quite different and they are members of different families.

original watercolor sketch


After I battled one of these for nearly a day before bringing him close enough to the boat to permit a quick touch before the deckhand returned him to the ocean, I hardly knew whether he was a marlin or a swordfish. But I did notice he was huge and heavy. 


Have you challenged an Xiphias?


♥     ♥     ♥



15 comments:

Carver said...

I love the watercolor and as always you come up with such original words. Happy New Year ahead!

photowannabe said...

That must have been truly eXciting. I have never fished anything that large. I've done Red Snapper in the ocean. That was hard enough to get them to the surface. I have done salmon too.They were a challenge.
Love the watercolor. Did you do that? Beautiful.

anthonynorth said...

Fearsome fish, but great picture.

Roger Owen Green said...

Never challenged ANY kind of large fish! eXciting.

ROG, ABC Wednesday team

Leslie: said...

Boy, you must have been eXcited! Lovely artwork! HOpe you had a lovely Xmas!

Anonymous said...

What an artist! And a fisherwoman, too?

Wanda said...

Just an Xcellent Watercolor! Love the loose lines and shades of blue.

I went deep sea fishing years ago, and caught many ling cod.

Hildred said...

WOW - that fish needs a scabbard for its sword. The water colour is beautiful....

Chubskulit Rose said...

eXcellent!

X-mas or Christmas, which one do you approve of? May you have a prosperous new year!

Paula Scott Molokai Girl Studio said...

I have never been face to face with an xphia (or was that xphiphia?). They are beautiful-hard to imagine one wanting to kill one just for the sport, isn't it?

Reader Wil said...

That must be quite an interesting fish. I have no idea how big it actually is! You have great posts for any letter! I always learn something new from you!

Chronicles of Illusions said...

a wonderful watercolour and tale
http://jobryantnz.wordpress.com/2011/12/29/x-is-for-xanthippe/

ChrisJ said...

It is amazing to me how many different X'es still appear on our ABC blogs. I saw a marlin once jump right out of the water. Spectacular!

kml said...

I have heard what job they are to bring in. And you got to touch him too! Beautiful watercolor!

Happy New Year!

Anonymous said...

great art work

ornamented joshua