Protecting Okinawa’s endangered beetles – Yanbaru forest

Poaching has been a big problem in northern Okinawa. The endemic animals of the Yanbaru forest are highly valued in the exotic pet trade market.  The Okinawan Ministry of the Environment and the wildlife protection center are working hard this year to prevent the poaching of these endangered species. The Okinawan’s are spreading the word in the news, local papers, flyers and even monitoring the forest roads at night.

Poaching flyer - Yanbaru

Poaching flyer -Yanbaru

August through September is when people search the forest for the rare Yanbaru long-armed scarab beetle (Cheirotonus jambar). If you see anyone taking this protected species please contact the authorities.  I have yet to photograph a live animal. It is one of the rarest beetles in the world.

Rarest beetle in Japan -Yanbaru long-armed scarab beetle

Rarest beetle in Japan -Yanbaru long armed scarab beetle, wildlife center

The giant Okinawan stag beetle (Dorcus titanus okinawanus) is also a high prized specimen in the pet trade.

Giant okinawan stag beetles

Giant okinawan stag beetles

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Giant okinawan stag beetle 

Beetle collectors use fruit filled net traps to lure in the beetles.

Yanbaru beetle trap

Yanbaru beetle trap    (Dorcus titanus okinawanus)

The beetles hooked shaped arms get caught in the netting.

Giant stag beetle ( Dorcus titanus okinawanus )

Giant stag beetle (Dorcus titanus okinawanus)

Over the years, I have found a few traps with dead beetles attached.

dead beetle

Female okinawan stag beetle

In 2019 I found this undescribed beetle in the Yanbaru forest.

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Unidentified beetle ,Yanbaru

Beetle collecting is popular on Okinawa. Its important to be familiar with the specific beetles that are protected species. Let’s protect the wildlife of the Yanbaru forest for future generations.

 

 

 

The Art of Wide-Angle Macro Photography by Shawn Miller

Wide-angle macro photography is popular with wildlife photographers. The technique allows the photographer to document the animal in its natural habitat and show the full scene it lives in. The photographs have great impact and deliver a bug eye perspective using a wide angle lens. I generally use off-camera flash with a custom soft box to make these photographs. Lately, I have been testing a variety of on-camera flashes to achieve a different perspective. One of the biggest challenges is lighting the subject evenly with soft diffused lighting.

The most popular lenses used for wide angle macro photography ( WAM )  

  • Tokina fisheye 10-17mm f3.5-4.5
  • Nikon fisheye 10.5mm f2.8
  • Sigma fisheye 15mm f2.8 E
  • Venus Laowa 15mm f4 –    (Manual focus only)

The Tokina 10-17mm Fisheye is my favorite lens in my bag and has been my go-to lens for the project “Crabs with Beach Trash Homes” 

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Tokina fisheye lens

Below are some of my favorite wide-angle macro images photographed in Okinawa-Japan.

Fighting pose - Preying mantis, IPhone 6s

Fighting pose – Preying mantis, IPhone 6s © Shawn Miller

Hermit crabs of Okinawa

Hermit crabs of Okinawa © Shawn Miller

Geograpsus grayi with eggs

Geograpsus grayi with eggs © Shawn Miller

Ishikawa's Frog

Ishikawa’s Frog – The most beautiful frog in Japan © Shawn Miller

Horn-eyed ghost crab at sunset

Horn-eyed ghost crab at sunset -Nikon 10.5mm © Shawn Miller

Searching for the Ishikawas frog

Herping in the yanbaru forest © Shawn Miller

Crabs with trash homes - Sesoko

Crabs with trash homes – Sesoko © Shawn Miller

Golden habu - WAM

Golden habu on a fence © Shawn Miller

Ghost crab - Nagahama beach

Ghost crab – Nagahama beach © Shawn Miller

Pryer's keelback feeding on a white jawed frog

Pryer’s keelback feeding on a white jawed frog © Shawn Miller

Baby loggerhead leaving the nest

Baby loggerhead leaving the nest © Shawn Miller

coconut rhinoceros beetle

Invasive insects – Coconut rhinoceros beetle © Shawn Miller

Blue rock-thrush with wings spread

Blue rock-thrush with wings spread © Shawn Miller

Princess habu -Yanbaru

Princess habu -Yanbaru © Shawn Miller

Kuroiwa's ground gecko crossing the road

Kuroiwa’s ground gecko crossing the road © Shawn Miller

Okinawan green tree frog

Okinawan green tree frog © Shawn Miller

Giant stag Beetle (Dorcus titanus)

Giant stag Beetle (Dorcus titanus) -Ie Island © Shawn Miller

Okinawa tip-nosed frog ( Rana narina )

Okinawa tip-nosed frog ( Rana narina ) © Shawn Miller

Hermit crab at sunset

Hermit crab at sunset © Shawn Miller

Land crab crossing the road  at night

Land crab crossing the road at night © Shawn Miller

Hermit crabs with beach trash homes

Hermit crabs with beach trash homes © Shawn Miller

on the move- Black-breasted leaf turtle

On the move- Black-breasted leaf turtle © Shawn Miller

Asian long horned beetle

Asian long-horned beetle © Shawn Miller

Crabs with trash homes-Yomitan

Crabs with trash homes-Yomitan © Shawn Miller

Road dweller- Namie's frog- Stella 2000

Road dweller- Namie’s frog- Stella 2000 © Shawn Miller

Praying mantis

Praying mantis @Hedo Point

zanpa lighthouse and hermit crabs

zanpa lighthouse and hermit crabs

If you would like to learn more about this technique I recommend                                          Wide-Angle Macro: The Essential Guide by Clay Bolt and Paul Harcourt Davies   https://www.e-junkie.com/shop/product/482943.php