Zerocare MTS4N 282 – Trading Plastic for Shells

Meet Zerocare, A blueberry hermit crab found adapting with a discarded plastic twist top cap.

zerocare hermit crabs and twist top cap

The hermit crab was offered an assortment of shells. Zerocare made the switch into the donated seashell ” Zerocare MTS4N 282 ”

I photographed the shy hermit crab in its new home, then released it back into the wild. Happy Crab – Happy Home!

I now keep all the twist top caps that were used by hermit crabs. I currently have 105 caps that have been traded for shells ( #MTS4N Trading Plastic 4 Shells Collection )

plastic caps used by hermit crabs

As you can see our trash is a serious problem on our shorelines. Some organizations are doing great things making a difference but it’s not enough, We must all work together worldwide and attack this problem. We all have the ability to make a difference by reducing the amount of single-use items we use daily. Change can be difficult but I challenge you to make the switch 4 nature.


Would you like to give back to nature? Please support our Hermit Crab Conservation Project. MakeTheSwitch4Nature

Listen to podcast 753 Interview, discussing the hermit crab conservation project. Martin Bailey Photography

Thank you ZEROCARE for your support, You are making a difference by providing sustainable options and Protecting Our Oceans. Keep up the Great work!


Do you have any seashells collecting dust at home? if so, consider donating them to the #MTS4N Project

Please consider making a small donation to support the mission

Have an Awesome day! Shawn Miller

It Will Get Better Mts4n #412 – Trading plastic 4 Shells

Meet Mustard, A blueberry hermit crab found adapting with a discarded marker cap.

A friend called to inform me she found a hermit crab ( mustard ) adapting with plastic. I grabbed some empty shells, the #mts4n bucket and drove down to a local beach in Yomitan village. We placed Mustard into the bucket and within fifteen minutes he made the switch.

Mustard made the switch into donated shell ” MTS4N #412 It will get better ” which is part of the positive carving series.

I photographed the hermit crab in its new home, then released it back into the wild. Happy Crab-Happy Home!

I keep all the twist top caps that were used by hermit crabs. I currently have 105 caps that have been traded for shells.

hermit crabs plastic cap collection

As you can see our trash is a serious problem on our shorelines. Some organizations are doing great things making a difference but it’s not enough, We must all work together worldwide and attack this problem. We all have the ability to make a difference by reducing the amount of single-use items we use daily. Change can be difficult but I challenge you to make the switch 4 nature.


Would you like to give back to nature? Consider making a contribution to support my mission in Hermit Crab Conservation MakeTheSwitch4Nature

Listen to podcast 753 Interview, discussing the hermit crab conservation project. Martin Bailey Photography

Do you have any seashells collecting dust at home? if so, consider donating them to the #MTS4N Project.

Have a great day! Shawn Miller

MTS4N 434 So Shire – Trading plastic 4 Shells

Meet Brittle Bob, A blueberry hermit crab found adapting with a discarded plastic twist top cap.

Crabs with plastic homes

The hermit crab was offered an assortment of shells. Brittle Bob made the switch into the donated seashell ” So Shire MTS4N 434 ”

I photographed the shy hermit crab in its new home, then released it back into the wild. Happy Crab – Happy Home!

I now keep all the twist top caps that were used by hermit crabs. I currently have 105 caps that have been traded for shells ( #MTS4N Collection )

As you can see our trash is a serious problem on our shorelines. Some organizations are doing great things making a difference but it’s not enough, We must all work together worldwide and attack this problem. We all have the ability to make a difference by reducing the amount of single-use items we use daily. Change can be difficult but I challenge you to make the switch 4 nature.

Okinawa beach trash

Interview with Kelly Meyer – Hermit Crab Conservation Project, Okinawa

Would you like to give back to nature? Consider making a contribution to support my mission in Hermit Crab Conservation MakeTheSwitch4Nature

Listen to podcast 753 Interview, discussing the hermit crab conservation project. Martin Bailey Photography

Thank you So Shire for your support, You are doing great providing sustainable options and Protecting Our Oceans. Keep up the Great work!

Do you have any seashells collecting dust at home? if so, consider donating them to the #MTS4N Project, Have a great day!

Millions of Pumice Stones Wash Ashore Okinawa’s Eastern Coastline

Due to an underwater volcanic eruption around the Ogasawara Islands, millions of pumice stones washed ashore on the eastern coast of Okinawa. Pumice stones are formed when lava and water mix together. The lightweight stones are abrasive and are mainly used to remove dead skin on the feet. ” take off your shoes and enjoy the walk “

The massive amount of fresh pumice in a confined area gave me a headache. It smelled a little like sulfur to me. The rotting barnacles attached to the stones didn’t help either.

The larger hermit crabs definitely had a hard time crawling over the pumice mounds washed ashore. I wonder how these stones will impact marine life?

The combination of earth, wind, and fire produced some beautiful natural abstracts.

The fresh pumice fluoresced under blue light. I used the Light & Motion Nightsea blue light to create this photograph.

Pumice of the Ryukyu Islands

Mission: Protect and Preserve the Wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands for future generations.

If you would like to help support my mission, click here – MakeTheSwitch4Nature

Have a great day! #MTS4N

No more plastic caps -Trading plastic for shells by Shawn Miller

Meet Green Tea, A large Blueberry hermit crab found adapting with single-use plastic.

The hermit crab was offered an assortment of shells. Green tea made the switch into the donated seashell ” No More Plastic Caps ” MTS4N #383.

After I photograph the hermit crab within its new home, I release it back into the wild and keep the plastic cap. Happy crab – Happy Home!

In August I reached out to my friend Martin Bailey and asked him if he wanted to be part of the project: Trading plastic for shells. He agreed and I carved ” No more Plastic caps ” on an MTS4N shell for him.

Martin asked me if I would join him on his podcast to discuss the project. Trading plastic for shells. It was great catching up with him!

If you would like to listen to podcast 753, view some amazing nature photography, or take a nature tour in Mainland Japan check out his website. Martin Bailey Photography


As you can see our trash is a serious problem on our shorelines. Some organizations are doing great things making a difference but it’s not enough, We must all work together worldwide and attack this problem. We all have the ability to make a difference by reducing the amount of single-use items we use daily. Change can be difficult but I challenge you to make the switch 4 nature.

If you would like to make a contribution to support my mission in Hermit Crab Conservation please check out my Patreon page. MakeTheSwitch4Nature

Do you have any seashells collecting dust at home? if so, consider donating them to the #MTS4N Project, Have a great day!




Carving 4 Nature by Shawn Miller


Wouldn’t you rather see hermit crabs adapting with seashells instead of plastic?

Carving 4 nature is an extension project I have been working on since 2020, combining “Crabs with Beach Trash Homes” and “Trading Plastic 4 Nature.” I offer hermit crabs native seashells instead of plastic. The shells are carefully engraved and numbered using a DREMEL tool. Hopefully labeling the shells will prevent collectors, beachcombers, and or fishermen from taking them in the future. 

Carving 4 nature -Using the trusty DREMEL tool

July 15th, I will post a video clip of the hermit crab making the switch from plastic to seashell (#mts4n). I will also pick up eleven pieces of waste off the shoreline for every new Conservationist tier member at MakeTheSwitch4Nature

Take trash not homes

If you would like to have a family member’s initials engraved on a shell, or a meaningful word engraved, or make a contribution to support my mission please check out my Patreon page. MakeTheSwitch4Nature

Trading Plastic 4 Shells – Giving Hermit Crabs a Better Tomorrow!


As you can see our trash is a serious problem on our shorelines. Some organizations are doing great things making a difference but it’s not enough, We must all work together worldwide and attack this problem.

We all have the ability to make a difference by reducing the amount of single-use items we use daily. Change can be difficult but I challenge you to Make The Switch for Nature 

15190681990_91b22d1530_b

Mission: Protect and Preserve the Wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands for future generations. If you would like to help support my mission, click here – MakeTheSwitch4Nature

Learn more about making a difference, TEDx talk | Adapting to or Changing Environment by Shawn M Miller

Get Fa-Millerized with the Nature of the Ryukyu Islands  – – – –  SUBSCRIBE BELOW


Trading plastic for shells by Shawn Miller

How many times have you picked up an empty seashell and brought it home? Most people don’t realize that they are taking a potential mobile home. As hermit crabs grow larger they have to upgrade their mobile home. They are constantly searching for larger seashells. No shells, then the hermits will adapt with plastic twist tops, plugs, and even broken bottles. Over collecting seashells is a contributing factor.

Take trash not crab homes

” Trading Plastic for Shells ” Every hermit crab found adapting with trash receives a proper seashell home. They get a better home and I keep the plastic. So far I have a nice collection of plastic.

Shawn Miller - plastic collection
Trading plastic for shells collection


In 2020, Tony Choi ( hermit crab specialist ) recommended that I place empty seashells on the shorelines. He explained that Taiwan has the same issue with over-collecting. Tony sent me the first shell donation and after that more people starting making kind contributions. I engraved numbers on all the shells. Hopefully, this will prevent beachcombers and fishermen from taking the shells.

Carving with the Dremel tool by Shawn Miller
Trading plastic for shells

Below is a large land hermit crab ( Coenobita cavipes ) I found using a plastic PVC 90-degree elbow as a protective home. Yomitan Village, Okinawa.

How do I get the crabs to swap? I bring a bucket with an assortment of native shells with me on my beach hikes. The hermit crabs are placed in the bucket and make the switch on their own. They get a better home and I keep the plastic. #Maketheswitch4nature

The land hermit crab made the switch into a donated tapestry shell (Miller #23). Hermit crabs do not prefer plastic, they are just adapting to what is available.

If you would like to see video footage of the hermit crabs making the switch from plastic to seashell check out MakeTheSwitch4Nature

” Trading plastic for shells ” Before and after examples


This post is not to make people sad, guilty, or lose hope, It is to bring awareness to the ongoing trash problem in our oceans and on our shorelines. Hopefully, these images will inspire people to change.

My Mission: To Protect and Preserve the Wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands for Future Generations

If you would like to help me make a difference Please check out my Patreon Site https://www.patreon.com/MakeTheSwitch4Nature

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


Hermit crabs living in plastic tubes by Shawn Miller

One of my favorite things to do is to go beachcombing after typhoons.  Over the years, I have seen a significant increase in the amount of marine debris washed ashore.  The trash is from all over the world, but the majority of it washes up from Korea, China, and Japan

The resourceful hermit crabs take full advantage of plastic tubes and twist top caps. They move into this valuable real estate and use it as a protective mobile home until they find a better option.

Hermit Crabs prefer to live in a natural seashell. Due to a decline in the number of seashells, the hermit crabs have to adapt with our trash to survive. Below are photographs of hermit crabs found naturally adapting with the plastic tubing.

Lucky was the first hermit crab I photographed adapting with plastic tubing. (2014)

The long plastic tubing slows down their movement. Not the ideal mobile home for a hermit crab.

Sometimes I find them living in clear plastic. Over time the plastic turns yellow and becomes brittle. Eventually, it will break up into microplastic.


Every hermit crab found adapting with our waste receives a new home (seashell). I bring a bucket with an assortment of shells with me on my beach hikes. The hermit crabs are placed in the bucket and make the switch. They get a better home and I keep the plastic.

Make the switch for nature

I was surprised to find this small blueberry hermit crab using a jump rope handle as a mobile home. The crab switched into a tapestry turban shell (mts4n #29) immediately.

The hermit crab is one of the few animals that can successfully adapt with our waste. If you would like to learn more about hermit crabs adapting with our waste please check out my post on “Crabs With Beach Trash Homes” by Shawn M Miller.

This post is not to make people sad, guilty, or lose hope, It is to bring awareness to the ongoing trash problem in our oceans and on our shorelines. Hopefully, these images will inspire people to change.

My Mission: To Document and Preserve the Wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands. – If you would like to join my journey, check out my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/MakeTheSwitch4Nature

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

Good Luck Charms on Okinawa – The Chiragra Spider Conch

Conch shells are locally collected for food on Okinawa. The shells are used for shell craft and jewelry. The Chiragra spider conch (Harpago chiragra) is considered a good luck charm. It is known to bring good fortune, worn of evil spirits, and provide protection against fire. The Okinawans place the Chiragra spider conch on the outside of houses and buildings.

Chiragra spider conch (Harpago chiragra)
Chiragra spider conch (Harpago chiragra)

Below are some of my favorite conch shells found in Okinawa.

Lambis scorpius - scorpion conch
Lambis scorpius


The beautiful conch shells are commonly confused with the hazardous cone shells. The main difference is that conch shells have a stromboid notch. A small side slit or indentation which allows the animal to see while moving.  The conch shells movement is much different as well, they travel using a jumping style movement instead of a steady crawling motion.

Strawberry conch shells © Shawn Miller Conomurex luhuanus
Conomurex luhuanus

My daughter and I found this mutated strawberry conch shell in 2018. This is the first four-eyed conch shell I have seen. They naturally have two eyes, not four.

Strawberry conch
Mutated four-eyed conch © 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.

Getting Funky with Polarized Light

Feeling isolated? Dust off the camera and get creative indoors. Capture cool colors with polarization.

Polarized setup

Equipment used

  • Camera: Nikon D500
  • Lens: Tokina 100mmacro 
  • Manfrotto tripod
  • Kenko circular polarizer filter
  • White computer screen
  • Clear plastic

Instructions: Place the clear plastic item on the computer screen (white background). Rotate the polarizer lens until the screen turns black.  Compose, expose, focus, and take the shot. I recommend using a remote timer for long exposures.

Polarized spoons
Polarized straws
Polarized tape
Polarized spoon
Polarized fork

Although these images are pretty cool looking, single-use plastic continues to be a massive problem worldwide.

Marine debris- Iheya Island
Beach straws
Beach trash -hermit crabs
Beach trash -hermit crab

Learn more about the new Tokina 100mm macro lens

Learn more about making a difference, TEDx talk | Adapting to or Changing Environment by Shawn M 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 worldwide conservation initiatives as well as bring solutions to the worldwide pollution issues on our beautiful shorelines.  Thank you for your support.  Shawn M Miller.