GrrlScientist is an evolutionary biologist, ornithologist, aviculturist, birder and freelance science and nature writer. A native of the Pacific Northwest, she relocated from Seattle to NYC with her parrots after earning a BS in Microbiology (emphasis in Virology) and PhD in Zoology (Ornithology) from the University of Washington. In NYC, she was the Chapman Postdoctoral Fellow at the American Museum of Natural History for two years, pursuing part of her "dream" research project by reconstructing a molecular phylogeny of the parrots of the South Pacific islands. GrrlScientist has written a blog about science since 4 August 2004 (the early years are archived 
tags: Billfish, sailfish, Xiphiodei, fish, National Geographic magazine
In the Whirl.
Adorned for the hunt, with fin raised and changeable colors
flashing, a sailfish in the Gulf of Mexico circles a ball of
sardines, preparing to strike.
Image: Paul Nicklen/National Geographic magazine [larger view].
My contact at National Geographic magazine sent a link to an interesting story about billfish (sailfish) to share with you and she also gave me permission to use the incredible images of billfish (sailfish) that are there to see. They also have a video that shows how these fish make a "bait ball" that you will be fascinated with.
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Comments
That is beautiful. I've only seen them up on walls. They're very impressive in the water.
I've seen dolphins creating bait balls, I didn't realize that fish did it as well. Very cool.
Posted by: CyberLizard | September 10, 2008 11:06 AM
Great video!
Posted by: RM | September 10, 2008 12:02 PM
What a fantastic picture!
Posted by: SimonG | September 10, 2008 1:41 PM
Sweet! Sailfish are by far the coolest animals in the sea, much better than those crappy wannabes, the dolphins.
Also, they sound like there should be an American sports team named after them; The Santa Cruz Sailfish for example. Anyone know a team in need of a new name?
Posted by: Nate Gains | September 11, 2008 9:09 AM
I had no idea sail fish were so beautiful....looks like a painting.
Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Erica | September 11, 2008 3:11 PM