Happy World Oceans Day!
Join us at the Okuma Beach Clean-Up this Saturday, 10 June 2023. Stop by the outside patio at the Surfside Grill & Bar to pick up trash bags and gloves. Afterward, join us as Shawn Miller, a nature and wildlife photographer, discusses Okinawa’s biodiversity and answers questions about wildlife and conservation photography.
Have a wonderful day, and see you Saturday!
What a fantastic surprise! This month we received the paratype of Calliostoma shawni ( Poppe & Tagarao, 2020), A beautiful species found in the waters of Okinawa. This rare species is named after naturalist and underwater photographer Shawn Miller for his continued support of malacological research.
Calliostoma shawni is found at night feeding on fire coral (Millepora sp).
The average size of this beauty is 7mm-13mm.
During the day, it hides in the tiny crevices of the fire coral.
Interested in seeing this species in its natural habitat? Let me know, and I can show you.
If you would like to learn more about this species, check out Visaya Vol 5 Nov 4 -September 2020
Do you like seashells? Learn more about the gastropods of Okinawa @ okinawanaturephotography.com/seashells-of-okinawa/
Have a wonderful day!
We all can 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
The Earth Day 2023 theme is Invest In our planet. What will you do to make a difference on April 22nd? Below is my Earth Day Challenge
On June tenth, I will give an Okinawan wildlife presentation at Okuma beach resort. Please join the fun!
Hopefully, this post will inspire you to make a positive change for Earth Day 2023.
Support the #MTS4n Hermit Crab Conservation Project; check out my Patreon page. MakeTheSwitch4Nature
Learn more about making a difference, TEDx talk | Adapting to or Changing Environment by Shawn M Miller
Mission: To Document and Preserve the Wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands for future generations
Get Fa-Millerized with the Nature of the Ryukyu Islands – – – – SUBSCRIBE BELOW
June 8th, 2009, was designated by the United Nations as World Oceans Day. This year will mark the fourteen-year. It’s a day encouraging worldwide awareness and action to protect our environment. We can all do a better job making a difference, and our lives depend on it.
The World Oceans Day theme is Revitalization. Collective action for the ocean. What will you do to make a difference on June 8th? Here’s my plan!
Keila Gaballo created this beautiful art piece to honor and celebrate World Oceans Day. It was inspired by one of my #mts4n hermit crab photographs. Check out her website
I will place fourteen shells in the coastal forest for hermit crabs in need. I often find hermit crabs adapting with single-use plastic. Shell over-collecting is a huge problem in Okinawa.
If you would like to support Hermit Crab Conservation please check out my Patreon page. MakeTheSwitch4Nature
Learn more about making a difference, TEDx talk | Adapting to or Changing Environment by Shawn M Miller
Mission: To Document and Preserve the Wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands for future generations
As you can see our trash is a serious problem on our shorelines. Some organizations are doing great things to make a difference but its’ not enough. We must all work together worldwide to make a positive impact.
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
The Earth Day 2022 theme is Invest In our planet. What will you do to make a difference on April 22nd? Below is my Earth Day Challenge
These are the twenty-two #mts4n shells that will be placed in the coastal forest for hermit crabs in need. I often find hermit crabs adapting with single-use plastic. Shell over-collecting is a huge problem in Okinawa.
I recommend participating in a beach cleanup. Get outdoors for some nature therapy!
Not all marine debris washes ashore. It’s important to participate in underwater cleanups as well.
Hopefully, this post will inspire you to make a positive change for Earth Day 2022. Have an awesome day!
If you would like to support Hermit Crab Conservation please check out my Patreon page. MakeTheSwitch4Nature
Learn more about making a difference, TEDx talk | Adapting to or Changing Environment by Shawn M Miller
Mission: To Document and Preserve the Wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands for future generations
Please consider making a small donation to support my mission.
Get Fa-Millerized with the Nature of the Ryukyu Islands – – – – SUBSCRIBE BELOW
Meet Jet Black, A blueberry hermit crab found adapting with a discarded plastic twist top cap.
The hermit crab was offered an assortment of shells. Jet Black made the switch into the donated seashell ” MTS4N 391 LIZA N MAGS OCEANBNB ”
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 107 caps that have been traded for shells ( #MTS4N Trading Plastic 4 Shells 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.
Thank you Steven David Johnson for your support, Check out his stunning conservation photography.
Listen to podcast 753 Interview, discussing the hermit crab conservation project. Martin Bailey Photography
Would you like to give back to nature? Consider making a contribution to support my mission in Hermit Crab Conservation MakeTheSwitch4Nature
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 my mission
Have an awesome day! Shawn Miller
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.
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
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.
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
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
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
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.
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.
Mangrove forests are one of the most threatened ecosystems on the planet. The beautiful forests support a huge diversity of species that humans depend on for survival.
Benefits of Mangrove forests
Coastal development, rising sea levels, and pollution are the mangrove’s biggest threat. The roots act as nets catching plastic bags, fishing ropes and other marine debris.
Over time the toxic plastic smothers the trees.
Mangrove roots protect small fish, crustaceans, and sea birds from predators.
My two favorite crustaceans of the mangrove mud plats are the Okinawa mud lobster (Thalassina anomala) and the Ryukyu soldier crab (Mictyris guinotae).
Mangroves trees can survive in freshwater and saltwater. They are a valuable ecosystem and must be protected.
Our waste is having a massive impact on the coastal forests of the Ryukyu Islands. This post is not to make people feel guilty or lose hope. It is to inspire people to change. Make The Switch 4 Nature!
My Mission: To Protect and Preserve the Wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands for Future Generations. – If you would like to join my journey, check out my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/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