Anemone-fish of the Ryukyu Islands by Shawn Miller

Have you ever wondered how many species of anemonefish are found in the beautiful waters of Okinawa?  There are six anemonefishes found here. Most are found in shallow water and all live in a venomous sea anemone for protection. Their biggest threats are over-collecting.

(1) Nemo – Is known as the false clown anemonefish (Amphiprion ocellaris). In my opinion is the most beautiful anemone fish of the Ryukyu Islands.

 false clownfish  (Amphiprion ocellaris)

false clown anemonefish (Amphiprion ocellaris) © Shawn Miller

The false clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris) photographed in black & white.

false clown anemonefish (Amphiprion ocellaris)

false clown anemonefish (Amphiprion ocellaris) © Shawn Miller

(2) The Tomato anemonefish (Amphiprion frenatus) is the most abundant anemonefish found here. The juveniles sometimes have multiple white stripes.

 Tomato anemonefish (Amphiprion frenatus)

Tomato anemonefish (Amphiprion frenatus) © Shawn Miller

Sometimes the Tomato anemonefish (Amphiprion frenatus)  can be found in large colonies with over sixty fish living together in multiple sea anemones.

 Tomato anemonefish (Amphiprion frenatus)

Tomato anemonefish colony © Shawn Miller

The Tomato anemonefish (Amphiprion frenatus) in black & white.

© Shawn Miller

Tomato anemonefish (Amphiprion frenatus) © Shawn Miller

 (3) Clark’s anemonefish ( Amphiprion clarkii ) is fairly common as well. A tough anemonefish for sure! 

Clark's anemonefish ( Amphiprion clarkii )

Clark’s anemonefish ( Amphiprion clarkii ) © Shawn Miller

The juveniles are often found in small nursery anemones. Is it possible these baby anemone fish see the fluorescence of the anemone?  I have always wondered how the hatchlings find a small anemone far away for a reef.

Clark's anemonefish ( Amphiprion clarkii ) and fluorescence

Clark’s anemonefish ( Amphiprion clarkii ) and fluorescence © Shawn Miller

 For some strange reason, the Clarks anemonefish (Amphiprion clarkii) turns dark black when living in the giant carpet sea anemone.

black Clark's anemonefish ( Amphiprion clarkii )

black Clark’s anemonefish ( Amphiprion clarkii ) © Shawn Miller

(4) The orange anemonefish (Amphiprion sandaracinos) is uncommon here. They all have a white dorsal stripe running from the lip to the tail.

Orange anemonefish (Amphiprion sandaracinos)

Orange anemonefish (Amphiprion sandaracinos) © Shawn Miller

5) The saddle anemonefish (Amphiprion polymnus) is scarce here. They are usually found living in a large carpet anemone around white fine sand.

saddle anemonefish (Amphiprion polymnus)

saddle anemonefish (Amphiprion polymnus) © Shawn Miller

(6) The pink anemonefish (Amphiprion perideraion) is fairly common here. They all have a white dorsal stripe running from the eyes to the tail and a narrow white head bar.

pink anemonefish (Amphiprion perideraion)

pink anemonefish (Amphiprion perideraion) © Shawn Miller

The pink anemonefish (Amphiprion perideraion) in black & white.

pink anemonefish (Amphiprion perideraion)

pink anemonefish (Amphiprion perideraion) © Shawn Miller

The three-spotted damselfish (Dascyllus trimaculatus) seeks shelter in sea anemones at the juvenile stage for protection. It leaves the anemone when its ready and never comes back.

The three-spotted damselfish (Dascyllus trimaculatus) seek shelter in sea anemones at the juvenile stage for protection.

The three-spotted damselfish (Dascyllus trimaculatus) © Shawn Miller

Okinawa offers some of the best shore diving in the world.  What are you waiting for?

Please consider making a small donation to support my mission. Have a great day!

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True Fluorescence – Underwater photography by Shawn Miller

” Fluorescence is the absorption of electromagnetic radiation (light) at one wavelength and its re-emission at another, longer wavelength ” Dr Charles Mazel. I attached a link to his website at the bottom of the page for more info.

In order to photograph fluorescence you will need a excitation source (blue light), barrier filter and a camera.

Shawn Miller fluorescence setup

Shawn Miller fluorescence setup

Underwater equipment used – Night dive at Kadena north, Okinawa.

  • Canon 70d * Canon 100macro lens
  • Ikelite underwater housing
  • 2 x Light&Motion Sola Nightsea blue lights
  • 1 Light & Motion Sola 1200 red * 1 Sola 3800
  • Light&Motion barrier filter and mask

Some of my favorite photographs from our night dive with the crew

True fluorescence

True underwater fluorescence © Shawn Miller

True fluorescence

True underwater fluorescence © Shawn Miller

True fluorescence

True underwater fluorescence © Shawn Miller

True fluorescence

True underwater fluorescence © Shawn Miller

True fluorescence

True underwater fluorescence © Shawn Miller

True underwater fluorescence © Shawn Miller

Palythoa heliodiscus under blue light © Shawn Miller

True underwater fluorescence © Shawn Miller

True underwater fluorescence © Shawn Miller

True underwater fluorescence © Shawn Miller

True underwater fluorescence © Shawn Miller

True underwater fluorescence © Shawn Miller

True underwater fluorescence © Shawn Miller

True fluorescence

True underwater fluorescence © Shawn Miller

True fluorescence

True underwater fluorescence © Shawn Miller

True fluorescence

True underwater fluorescence © Shawn Miller

True fluorescence

True underwater fluorescence © Shawn Miller

True underwater fluorescence © Shawn Miller

True underwater fluorescence © Shawn Miller

True underwater fluorescence © Shawn Miller

True underwater fluorescence © Shawn Miller

True underwater fluorescence © Shawn Miller

True underwater fluorescence © Shawn Miller

* Please check out my older posts on Fluoro-diving, Capturing fluorescence and Fluoro fingerprinting 

* Learn more about fluorescence with Dr Charles Mazel  https://www.nightsea.com/

**Light&Motion Dive lights https://www.lightandmotion.com/choose-your-light/sola

Have a great day!

 

 

Ryukyu ken – Dogs of Okinawa by Shawn Miller

Ryukyu-ken is a scarce breed of dog found on the Island of Okinawa. In the past, these dogs were used to hunt down wild boars in the Yanbaru forest. They are currently designated as an Okinawan national treasure. I have personally seen these dogs hunt wild birds and they have no problems catching them. The Ryukyu ken has a great sense of smell. They can smell their prey from far away. These smart dogs are outstanding hunters.

Ryukyu Ken - Kin Okinawa

Ryukyu Ken – © Shawn Miller

Ryukyu-ken

Ryukyu-ken © Shawn Miller

It’s impressive that these dogs hunt such a large powerful animal. Ryukyu wild boar (Sus scrofa).

Ryukyu wild boar (sus scrofa) This is a common wild boar found in Okinawa,

Ryukyu wild boar (Sus scrofa) © Shawn Miller

I was out searching for birds and saw this beautiful male Ryukyu Inu. I knew he was out on a hunting mission.  It was just a matter of being at the right place at the right time.

Ryukyu Enu -Okinawan native dog

Ryukyu Inu -Okinawan native dog © Shawn Miller

Ryukyu Inu -Okinawan native dog

Ryukyu Inu -Okinawan native dog © Shawn Miller

Ryukyu Enu -Okinawan native dog

Ryukyu native dog ready for the hunt © Shawn Miller

Ryukyu Inu -Okinawan native dog

Ryukyu Inu -Okinawan native dog © Shawn Miller

Ryukyu Inu -Okinawan native dog

Ryukyu Inu -Okinawan native dog © Shawn Miller

Ryukyu Inu -Okinawan native dog

Ryukyu Inu -Okinawan native dog © Shawn Miller

Ryukyu Inu -Okinawan native dog

Ryukyu Inu -Okinawan native dog © Shawn Miller

Ryukyu Inu -Okinawan native dog

Ryukyu Inu -Okinawan native dog © Shawn Miller

I tried to get a better photograph but the dogs kept avoiding me. The Ryukyu ken caught a duck with the help of a team partner.

20130123-DSC_5948

I often would see the Master walking his dogs on the beach and one day I finally asked him if I could photograph him and his dogs.

Master and his Ryukyu Ken

Master and his Ryukyu Ken © Shawn Miller

Master walking his Ryukyu Dogs

Master walking his Ryukyu Dogs © Shawn Miller

I had the opportunity to meet another Ryukyu Ken this weekend.  What caught my eye was the the double claw ( AKA Dew claw) on the rear legs. He had six toenails on the hind legs and only four toenails on the front legs, the term for this is polydactyl. I have only seen extra digits on the front legs of a cats before.

Ryukyu ken -dogs of the Ryukyu's

Ryukyu ken -dogs of the Ryukyu’s

Check out those dew claws- six toenails on the hind legs

Ryukyu ken -dogs of the Ryukyu's

polydactyl ryukyu dog- Meet boots the Hemingway cat (Polydactyl)

Meet boots the Hemingway cat (Polydactyl). Check out those extra digits!

Boots the Polydactyl Cat

Boots the Polydactyl Cat by Shawn Miller

Look at those beautiful patterns of the Ryukyu ken.

Ryukyu ken - tiger striped pattern

Ryukyu ken – Coat colors and patterns

The Ryukyu Ken is my favorite dog.

IMG_1393I often find some of the most interesting dogs on my photographic adventures exploring the Island. I try to capture their unique personality.  Below are some of my favorite dogs.

Okinawan dog

Okinawan dog © Shawn Miller

Ryukyu guard dog

Ryukyu guard dog © Shawn Miller

Okinawan dog - Ogimi Village

Okinawan dog © Shawn Miller

Okinawa dog - chained up

Okinawa dog – chained up © Shawn Miller

Poochie the wonder dog

Poochie the wonder dog © Shawn Miller

Sometimes on my adventures, I run into aggressive dogs.  They are just protecting their territory.  I respect their space and leave the scene.

Okinawan dog

Okinawan dog © Shawn Miller

Dogs of Okinawa

Dogs of Okinawa © Shawn Miller

Dogs of Okinawa

Dogs of Okinawa © Shawn Miller

guard dogs of Okinawa

guard dogs of Okinawa © Shawn Miller

Dogs of Okinawa

Dogs of Okinawa © Shawn Miller

Okinawan beach dogs, Yomitan Okinawa

Okinawan beach dogs, Yomitan Okinawa © Shawn Miller

 

Sometimes I run into kind photogenic dogs that love their photograph taken.

Shima  -Ryukyu dog

Shima -Ryukyu dog © Shawn Miller

Cheetah like speed

Cheetah like speed © Shawn Miller

Okinawa Island style © Shawn Miller

Okinawa Island style © Shawn Miller

Okinawan dog with style

Okinawan dog with style © Shawn Miller

Dogs of Okinawa

Dogs of Okinawa © Shawn Miller

Scuba dog -Maeda point

Scuba dog -Maeda point © Shawn Miller

Bear and Master Willson

Bear and Master Willson © Shawn Miller

 My Mission: To Document and Preserve the Wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands

This site is also designed to help people identify the beautiful animals of Okinawa, basically to serve as an online nature reference guide. If you would like to make a contribution to support my mission, please click on the donation link  paypal.me/maketheswitch4nature

Your donations will help conservation initiatives as well as bring solutions to the worldwide pollution issues on our beautiful shorelines.  Thank you for your support, Shawn M Miller.

#MakeTheSwitch4Nature