In 2014 Typhoon Neoguri brought in heavy winds and lots of rain. I have experienced many typhoons since 1989 but nothing like this. Typhoon Neoguri was the worse flooding I have ever seen. These photographs are from 2014, better late than never.
The rain was overwhelming and caused extreme flooding. The Nagaham dam overflow reservoir could not keep up with the amount of rain.
The massive amount of water caused hundreds of tilapia and mullet to wash ashore on the local farm roads.
Tilapia are a non-native fish. They were brought here as a food source in the mid-1900s. They have taken over most freshwater sources and compete with native aquatic animals on Okinawa.
With all the rainwater the coastline turned a bright orange. Red soil runoff contributes to coral reef bleaching and fertilizers entering the water from local farming fields.
I have always been fascinated by the beauty of seahorses. I have seen five species of seahorses in the beautiful waters of Okinawa. They are scarce and difficult to find. They have the ability to change color to blend into their surrounding environment. They are often found resting with their prehensile tails wrapped on something sturdy.
The Pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus bargibanti) Is the most beautiful seahorse. They live on red or orange gorgonians making them camouflage and difficult to find. They even have tubercles that resemble the polyps of the coral they live on. They are found in deep water (80-150feet).
The Pontoh’s Pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus pontohi) was recently described in 2008. They live on calcareous algae and hydroids making them camouflage and difficult to find. They have fiber-like strands that resemble the algae they live on. They are found in shallow water (20-60feet).
Denise’s pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus denise) Is another beautiful seahorse. They live on orange gorgonians making them camouflage and difficult to find. They even have tubercles that resemble the polyps of the coral they live on. They are found in deep water (100-150feet).
Another beautiful pygmy seahorse. Could it be a juvenile Hippocampus pontohi, or H colemani or H servensi.
The thorny seahorse (Hippocampus histrix) Is very rare in the waters of Okinawa. This is the only specimen I have found. It was washed up on a local beach during Typhoon trami. They live on gorgonians in deep water. Hopefully, someday I will photograph a live specimen
The Great seahorse (Hippocampus kelloggi) Is the most common seahorse found here. They live on sea-grass and algae in sandy areas. They are found in very shallow water (2-40feet).
The Ryukyu sea dragon (Kyonemichthys rumengani) is a species of pipefish native to Okinawa. It can be very difficult to find based on its size.
Seahorses are often taken from the sea, dried and sold for medicinal purposes. Their biggest threat is habitat loss and over-collecting. They hold a high-value for medicinal purposes and in the pet trade market. Populations have drastically decreased over the years, making them harder and harder to find. Let’s protect these beautiful seadragons.
People often ask me what is the purpose of conservation photography?Having the ability to affect some form of positive change in the environment and make a global difference with the photographs. Hopefully, the images will inspire people to care more about nature and make a positive difference in the environment.
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.
I have experienced many typhoons in the last twenty-five years. Typhoon Trami was by far the strongest storm of the year. Its normal to see marine life washed ashore but this was my first time finding shorebirds washed ashore.
The images might be disturbing to some of the viewers but this is how I naturally found the birds on local beaches. A variety of egrets, terns, snipes, pigeons, and herons could not cope with the harsh conditions.
An abundance of marine debris also washed up. A disgusting amount of single-use items like styrofoam, plastic bottle caps, water bottles, lighters, combs, razors, cigarette butts, and floats littered the shoreline.
Our trash is a serious problem on our shorelines. What are you doing to make a difference? Have a great day.
Typhoon Trami was by far the strongest storm of the year. The typhoon brought heavy winds, rain, and extreme sea conditions. A huge amount of marine life could not cope with these harsh conditions.
An abundance of marine debris also washed up. A disgusting amount of styrofoam, plastic bottle caps, water bottles, lighters, combs, razors, and floats littered the shorelines.
Marine debris
Environmental impact
Styrofoam pollution
I have been living on Okinawa for over twenty-five years and this was the first time seeing a devastating amount of marine life washed ashore. The storm was so powerful that large clumps of stony coral broke off and washed ashore.
Marine life and plastic pollution
Marine fish and plastic pollution
Pufferfish washed ashore
Red Grouper
Plastic wrapping
Parrot fish washed up
Eel and Styrofoam
Dead fish
fish and flops
Wrasses and plastic
Hermit crab and plastic
Pufferfish washed ashore
Coral washed ashore
I also managed to find some unique animals washed ashore. Five red frogfish, twelve sea snakes, a spiny seahorse and five unknown orange fish (Ogilibia sp).
Frogfish washed ashore
Sea snake washed up
Spiky seahorse
Starfish of Okinawa
Undescribed orange fish (Ogilbia sp).
If you would like to use any of my images please contact me directly. Have a great day!
Ghost crabs are one of the fastest terrestrial crabs on the planet. They live in burrows underneath the sand on the coastline. They are found scavenging for food early in the morning and late in the evening to avoid predators. These sand crabs can change colors to adapt to their environment. In Okinawa, we have two species of Ghost crabs, the Horn-eyed crab (Ocypode ceratophthalmus) and the Smooth-eyed ghost crab (Ocypode cordimanus).
Horn-eyed ghost crab at Maede flats
Ghost crabs have three ways to avoid predators.
Stay close to their burrow and retreat into it quickly.
Escape into the surf zone and burrow underneath the wet sand.
Stay still and slowly dig into the beach sand
Ghost crab burrow
Elusive ghost crab
These crabs have the ability to fold their eyes into grooves for protection.
Ghost crab & Stella 2000
This large ghost crab tried to intimidate me with its large claws and scary shadow.
The sand dwelling hunter
These crabs were photographed on white for the Meet Your Neighbours Biodiversity Project. The project is dedicated to connecting people worldwide with the wildlife in their communities. All images are used for conservation awareness and educational purposes.
MYN Biodiversity Project Japan.
Juvenile – Ocypode sp
The Juveniles can be extremely colorful depending on their surrounding environment. I have been finding more and more trash washed on the shoreline. Could the crabs possibly be adapting to the colors of the sounding marine debris washed ashore?
the Smooth-eyed ghost crab ( Ocypode cordimanus)
All ghost crabs are scavengers, mainly feeding on seaweed, fruit, seeds, other crabs, turtle hatchlings, and insects.
feeding on beetles
Feeding on a hermit crab
Feeding on a shrew
These crabs are beautiful creatures and hopefully, you will get the opportunity to see one in the wild.
Pink ghost crab
People often ask me what is the purpose of conservation photography?Having the ability to affect some form of positive change in the environment and make a global difference with the photographs. Hopefully, the images will inspire people to care more about nature and make a positive difference in the environment.
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.
How cool would it be to have the ability to change colors in a matter of seconds? In the beautiful waters of Okinawa, we have a few fish that are capable of changing color quickly.
The Arrow Bulleye (Priacanthus sagittarius) is a stunning dark ruby red when its hiding from predators. It stays close to the coral reef and blends in well.
Red Bigeye ( Pricanthus sagittarius )
When the Arrow Bullseye is threatened, it flees into open water and changes to a lighter color.
Red Bigeye ( Pricanthus sagittarius )
It eventually changes to silver in a matter of three seconds
Red Bigeye ( Pricanthus sagittarius )
Another example of color change happens at the cleaning station. A cleaning station is a designated location where fish come to get their skin, fins, eyes, mouth, teeth, and gills cleaned by cleaner fish. This is an example of Mutilism. The cleaner fish gets fed fresh parasites and the client gets cleaned. All fish swim into the cleaning station and patiently wait to get cleaned.
The blue-lined surgeonfish and rabbitfish (video below) pull into the station and immediately turn dark in color. The purpose of this is so the cleaner fish can spot the parasites easier and speed up the process.
Fish cleaning station
They naturally change back to their lighter color when the exit the cleaning station.
Nice and clean
Check out this rare event in nature, that few will ever see in the wild.
Could the increase in tourism contribute to fish disease and parasites? Is it possible the cleaner fish can’t keep up?
Isopods and copepods are bloodsucking parasites commonly found at Maeda point. In the recent years, tourism has increased and some days thousands of snorkelers enter the water. Parasites occur naturally but with the increase in tourism, I believe they are becoming more abundant.
One possible reason is due to guided fish feeding tours. They often feed the marine life large amounts of fu (harvested wheat rolls) and other manmade items. In the past, it was popular to feed the fish processed sausage. I have been diving Maeda point since 1992. I have observed a decline in healthy coral colonies and other marine life. I have also seen more fish with skin disease and parasites in recent years. Below are some fish with parasites photographed at Maeda point.
Isopod- Renocilla bollandi
Rhabdamis sp
Filefish with tiny parasites
Twin spot lionfish and parasites
Pennantfish and parasite
Firefish with parasites
Butterflyfish and parasites
Parasite infestation
Damselfish with parasite
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.
On Okinawa, we have six species of Egrets (Great, Intermediate, Cattle, Little, Chinese, and Pacific Reef Egret). Egrets spend most of the day foraging on food in the grasslands. They are opportunistic hunters and have learned a new behavior. They follow a tractor as it plows the field and food rewards are given in large amounts. The tractor plow exposes insects, worms, snakes, eels, mice, and frogs. The payoff is great, a large amount of food in a short period of time.
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.
Brightly colored gobies are popular subjects for underwater macro photographers in the beautiful waters of Okinawa. The Dinah’s goby (Lubricogobius dinah) adapts by using man-made objects as a protective shelter. Discarded glass bottles and cans are prime real-estate for a variety of Marine life in the Ocean.
Scientific name: (Lubricogobius dinah)
Common Name: Dinah’s goby
Distribution: Ryukyu Islands
Habitat: Sandy bottom, living in shells and bottles
Depth: 20-50meters
Diet: Plankton
Average Size: 25mm
You will need a designated macro lens to photograph this beautiful Goby. Approach slowly and avoid any sudden movement.
Frogfish are found throughout the Ryukyu Islands in shallow water. They are popular subjects for underwater macro photographers in Okinawa. They are masters of camouflage and mimicry so they can be difficult to find. The juveniles resemble toxic nudibranchs, tunicates, seaweed, algae, soft corals, and sponges.
They are also known as anglerfish. They spend most of their time staying in one location using a specialized fishing pole and lure to attract prey. They are vicious hunters and are capable of swallowing fish larger than itself.
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.
The Blue rock thrush (Monticola solitarius) is one of the most fascinating and abundant birds of The Ryukyu Islands. They are a common species found in urban areas. I have observed these birds eating food from peoples hands.
Scientific name: (Monticola solitarius)
Common Name: Blue Rock Thrush
Distribution: Ryukyu Islands
Habitat: Forests, Parks, and local neighbors
Diet: Butterflies, moths, spiders, caterpillars, and fruit
Average Size: 25cm
The female is all brown with a striped pattern. The male is dark blue with an orange breast and belly.
Breeding season occurs April through July. When the Hatchling emerge the parents are on high alert and become noisy and aggressive defending their young.
We pulled up to a fight scene. A rock thrush and a praying mantis fighting in the middle of the road. The rock-thrush flew away and the praying mantis stood its ground. Photographed using my iPhone.
Tilapia are a non-native fish. They were brought here as a food source in the mid-1900s. They have taken over most freshwater sources and compete with native aquatic animals on Okinawa. 
