Patterns, textures and colors ! Underwater Macro Photography by Shawn Miller

Posted on October 19, 2017 by Admin11

Okinawa offers some of the best Scuba-Diving in the world. I really enjoy the Art of Underwater Macro Photography. Macro subjects can always be found, it just takes some imagination and good framing to create beautiful underwater abstracts. Pattern’s, textures and vibrant colors generally stand out in underwater photography.

Equipment used

Camera: Canon 70d with Canon 100mm&60mm
Housing: Ikelite underwater housing
Stobes: Ikelite DS160 & DS 200
Modeling lights: Light&Motion Gobe 800, Sola 3800 and Sola 1200
Specialized lights: Light&Motion Sola Nightsea

All images were taken in the beautiful waters of the Ryukyu Islands. Underwater Photography by Shawn Miller.

Cushion starfish (Culcita novaeguineae) 100mm

Cushion starfish (Culcita novaeguineae) © Shawn Miller

Coral (Favia sp) © Shawn Miller

Deep water coral (Tubastrea micrantha) © Shawn Miller

Pedum spondyloidum- coral scallop © Shawn Miller

Feather star © Shawn Miller

Stichopus variegatus sea cucumber- 100mm

(Stichopus variegatus) sea cucumber © Shawn Miller

Sea fan (Annella mollis ) © Shawn Miller

Favia sp coral closeup © Shawn Miller

Feather duster worm (Sabellastarte sanctijosephi) © Shawn Miller

granulated sea star (Choriaster granulatus) © Shawn Miller

Crocea clam (Tridacna Crocea) © Shawn Miller

(Pachyseris speciosa) Ringed plate coral © Shawn Miller

Razor coral © Shawn Miller

Striped triplefin (Helcogramma striata) on coral © Shawn Miller

coral of okinawa © Shawn Miller

Bubble coral (Plerogyra sinuosa) © Shawn Miller

Dive safe and have a great day!

Ornate narrow mouth frog – Amphibians of Okinawa by Shawn Miller

Posted on October 17, 2017 by Admin11

The Ornate narrow-mouth frog (Microhyla okinavensis) is found throughout the Ryukyu Islands. It is one of the smallest frogs found on Okinawa. It can be extremely hard to find due to its small size.

Scientific name: Microhyla okinavensis
Common name: Ornate narrow mouth frog, ant frog and ornate pygmy frog
Distribution: Ryukyu Islands
Habitat: Forests, mountain slopes, drainage ditches and farm fields.
Diet: Ants, termites and small insects
Average size: 15mm-25mm
Color: brown

Ornate narrow mouth frog -Okinawa © Shawn Miller

I have found this beautiful frog in the Yanbaru forest, local parks, drainage ditches and even common walking trails in central Okinawa.

Old grown forest -Yanbaru forest © Shawn Miller

This small frog is a master of camouflage. I often find it on rocks, plants, and leaves during my night walks.

Ornate rice frog -Ryukyu Islands © Shawn Miller

Breeding season takes place in the month of April.

Mating ornate frogs © Shawn Miller

The fogs take advantage of farmers buckets. They lay their eggs in small pools of water.

Tadpoles of Okinawa by Shawn Miller © Shawn Miller

Tadpoles, Yamada Okinawa © Shawn Miller

Ornate rice frog -Onna village © Shawn Miller

Photographed on a white portable studio for the Meet your neighbours project – dedicated to connecting people worldwide with the wildlife in their community –

Meet your neighbours project by Shawn Miller © 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 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.

Ryukyu flying fox – Bats of Okinawa

Posted on October 13, 2017 by Admin11

The Ryukyu flying fox is the largest bat found throughout the Ryukyu Islands. This large bat often startles people on night walks. No need to worry, it is not a threat to humans. This large fruit bat feeds on fruit, seeds and nectar. It is currently listed as vulnerable on the IUCN list of Threatened species.

Scientific name: Pteropus dasymallus
Common name: Ryukyu flying fox and fruit bat
Distribution: Ryukyu Islands
Habitat: Dense forests and neighborhood parks
Diet: Fruit, seeds and nectar
Average size: 300-350mm
Color: Brown and orange

These large fruit bats are nocturnal and feed during the night.

Ryukyu flying fox

Ryukyu flying fox in flight

They can also be found during the day hiding high up in trees.

Ryukyu flying fox

Fruitbat in Ryukyu pine tree

On rare occasions, they can be found feeding on the cherry blossoms in daylight.

Ryukyu flying fox

Ryukyu flying fox feeding on cherry blossoms

A mother and young found in a secluded part of the Yanbaru forest.

Ryukyu flying fox feeding

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

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

The Good, the Bad or the Evil – The Crow’s of Okinawa

Posted on October 1, 2017 by Admin11

The Jungle Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos) is found throughout the Ryukyu Islands. They are abundant here and can be found all over Okinawa. Populations have increased due to the readily available food, left on the side of the road and in dumpsters. It’s important to keep your trash enclosed in cages to prevent the crows from getting to it.

Scientific name: Corvus macrorhynchos
Local name: Jungle crow
Distribution: Ryukyu Islands
Habitat: Farms, cities, forests and grasslands.
Diet: Eats almost everything
Average size: 50cm body length
Color: Black

Jungle crow and plastic © Shawn Miller

Jungle crow in flight © Shawn Miller

The farmers in Onna village put up this deterrent to keep the crows from coming back.

Crow cross -Onna village © Shawn Miller

Crows can be vicious predators. They often harass other birds, showing off their strength.

Aggressive behavior © Shawn Miller

These intelligent birds work as a team to get what they want. I have personally seen them raid baby birds from the nest. I have seen them fly away with juvenile woodpeckers, rails and swallows.

Crow taking the Okinawa woodpecker from the nest © Shawn Miller

The mother duck worked hard to protect her young from this vicious predator.

Spot-billed duck and ducklings

To control the population of jungle crows in northern Okinawa, they use large traps to catch them in. One way in and no way out!

Crow trap – Northern Okinawa © Shawn Miller

Possibly a strange growth that occurred from an injury (broken beak). Could this be one of the few crows that made a successful escape from a trap?

A crow with an extended hook beak © Shawn Miller

As much as we dislike the crow, they do have a purpose in the ecosystem. They clean the dead animals (road kill) off the road, keeping our environment clean from rotting carcasses. I often see them feeding on cats, snakes, lizards, birds, and rats dead in the road.

Mongoose -roadkill © Shawn Miller

Crow feeding on a cat by Shawn Miller © Shawn Miller

Crows eating roadkill -Okinawa © Shawn Miller

On several occasions, I have observed crows eating dead animals on beaches and river banks. Met EEL-Zilla, a huge freshwater eel that washed up at Nagahama dam.

They also feed on the large green caterpillars that destroy the farmer’s taro (Taanmu) crops in Kin village

Crows of Okinawa -© Shawn Miller

Mutualism of Commensalism?

I believe this is Mutualism. Both animals possibly benefit from each other. The crow cleans the parasites on the boar’s skin and also acts as a warning system when threats are in the area. The wild boar uproots the ground, which gives access to insects, grubs, and worms for the crow. This was my first time observing this behavior in the wild.

Jungle crow and the Boar – © Shawn Miller

As soon as the boar spotted me it fled the scene. The crow attempted to stay mounted but could not keep up with the boar.

Jungle crow and the Wild Boar © Shawn Miller

Get-Familiarized with the Nature of Okinawa! – – – SUBSCRIBE BELOW

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

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

Sea Turtle Art Show – Okinawa, Japan

Posted on July 29, 2017 by Admin11

Please come out to the Sea Turtle Art show on August 12th, 2017. The event will take place at the Okinawa Brewing Company at 2:00-6:00 pm. We will have original artwork, prints, and postcards for sale. This is a collaboration with local artists to bring awareness to sea turtle conservation and what you can do to save our oceans. Part of the profits will be donated to sea turtle conservation and related causes.

* CJ and friends will be performing live music for the event.

Turtle art show

Baby sea turtle making the journey to the ocean. Okinawa, Japan.

Baby sea turtles leaving the nest – Photography by Shawn Miller

The beautiful sea turtles of the Ryukyu Islands

Green Sea Turtle -Photography by Shawn Miller

Our trash is becoming a serious problem on our shorelines. All of us can do better to reduce our waste and protect out natural environment.

Trash on our shorelines -Photography by Shawn Miller

I often find single-use items washed on our shorelines. Plastic bags, forks, spoons, pet bottles, straws, razors, medicine prescription containers, flip-flops, hair combs, toothbrushes, bento boxes, Styrofoam, shotgun shells, and rope are the common items washed ashore.

Beach trash – Crabs with beach trash homes by Shawn Miller

The event turnout was better than expected. A big thanks to all that supported the event and to the contributors and local artists.

A few photographs of the event –

Turtle art show “The wall of art “

Turtle art show -Okinawa, Japan

Turtle art show – Pollution print

Turtle art show – Laowa 12mm F2.8 D dreamer perspective

Good times at Okinawa brewing company-

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.

Have a great day!

Ryukyu green snake – Reptiles of Okinawa by Shawn Miller

Posted on July 18, 2017 by Admin11

The Ryukyu Green snake (Cyclophiops semicarinartus)

is a non-venomous snake found throughout the Ryukyu Islands They are fairly common here on Okinawa. I often find them in the Yanbaru forest. They are harmless and pose no threat to your safety.

- Scientific name: Cyclophiops semicarinartus

- Local name: Ryukyu Ao Hebi – Ryukyu Green snake

- Distribution: Ryukyu Islands

- Habitat: Forests and grasslands

- Diet: Earth worms

- Average size: 60cm -80cm

Color: Olive green with a yellow belly

Ryukyu Green snake (Cyclophiops semicaricartus) © Shawn Miller

Ryukyu Green snake closeup

There’s a snake on my snake boot! I highly recommend wearing snake boots while herping in northern Okinawa. Check out my post on venomous snakes of Okinawa for more info.

Snake boot – Ryukyu Green snake (Cyclophiops semicaricartus) © Shawn Miller

A juvenile Ryukyu green snake interested in the Canon 100mm 2.8 lens.

Ryukyu snake on the Canon 100mm macro lens © Shawn Miller

The snakes are sometimes found crossing the road a night.

Headshot- Ryuyu Green snake © Shawn Miller

Ryukyu Green snake – Amami Island

Ryukyu Green snake (Cyclophiops semicaricartus) © Shawn Miller

My son holding a juvenile Ryukyu Green snake. This friendly snake was on display to educate the youth. Yanbaru Wildlife Center.

Ryukyu Green snake

The Ryukyu Green snake feeds on earthworms, no need to kill it.

Road Kill – Ryukyu Green snake and beetles © Shawn Miller

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

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

Worms with tongues ! Blind snakes of Okinawa

Posted on July 15, 2017 by Admin11

The Brahminy bind snake (Ramphotyphlops braminus) is a non-venomous snake found throughout the Ryukyu Islands. They are fairly common here on Okinawa. I often find them in drainage ditches, on roads and sidewalks. These small snakes are overlooked and mistaken for worms.

Scientific name: Ramphotyphlops braminus
Local name: Mekurahebi – Brahminy Blind snake
Distribution: Ryukyu Islands
Habitat: Forests, Grasslands and sugar cane fields
Diet: Termite pupae and ant larvae
Average size: 15cm -21cm
Color: Dark brown

Blind snake -Okinawa, Japan

What is the main difference between the blind snake and a worm ?

The blind snake has scales, a split tongue and a backbone (vertebrate)
Worms have soft skin with ring like segments called annuli and lack a backbone (Invertebrate)

A photograph of a large earthworm (Pontoscolex sp) I found on Kume Island.

Unidentified earthworm - MYN and under Blue light Kume Island

Unidentified earthworm (15-22cm) Kume Island

The blind snake is the only know snake to be parthenogentic throughout its entire life. The female lays fertile eggs without the need of a male to fertilize the eggs. This is why the blind is so successful in establishing populations.

This small snake is also know as the flower pot snake, thriving in backyard flower pots and gardens.

Flower pot snake -Okinawa

The blind snake produces a powerful foul smelling odor to deter predators when threatened. I found this out by picking the snake up to remove it off the road.

Blind snake -size perspective

The blind snake has a modified sharp pointy tail used for anchoring and as a defense mechanism when attacked .

Blind snake tail

All the blind snakes I have seen on Okinawa are dark brown. My friend Paul found these blind snakes under a rotting log. This was my first time seeing a blue color form.

bind snake color forms

This week I found three dead blind snakes in Kin village. The warm weather (91-93 Fahrenheit) is drying out the top layer of soil and pushing the snakes out on the pavement.

Blind snake -dried from summer heat

Get-Familiarized with the Nature of Okinawa! – – – SUBSCRIBE BELOW

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

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

The Coconut Crab – Terrestrial hermit crabs of the Ryukyu Islands

Posted on July 5, 2017 by Admin11

Coconut crabs are the largest terrestrial hermit crabs of the Ryukyu Islands. They are scarce on the Island of Okinawa due to over-hunting. They are sold in local fish markets for high prices. The meat of the coconut crab is sought after and considered a delicacy. No conservation programs are set in place to protect this native crab. It is currently listed as data deficient on the IUCN list of Threatened species.

Scientific name: Birgus latro
Common name: Coconut crab, robber crab and palm thief
Distribution: Majority of the Ryukyu Islands
Habitat: Coastal forest
Diet: Seeds, fruit and carrion
Average size: 20-40 centimeters
Color: Purple, blue or orange

Coconut crab- Okinawa © Shawn Miller

How to tell the difference between a coconut crab and a hermit crab. They look very similar to the blueberry hermit crab at first, but the coconut crab has protective spines near its eyes. Hermit crabs do not have these spines since they have adapted to retreat into a shell to protect their eyes. The coconut crab does not depend on a seashell as it gets larger. I still have yet to find a juvenile coconut crab adapting with a seashell.

spines that protect the eyes © Shawn Miller

Terrestrial hermit crabs live in the coastal forest where the treeline and coastline meet. They are the caretakers of the coastal forest. They mainly feed on plants, flowers, fruits, and seeds in the treeline. They also help disperse seeds in the forest, specifically the screw pine tree seeds.

The Climber- Adult coconut crab © Shawn Miller

Pandanus trees with spiky sword-shaped leaves provide a perfect environment for the Coconut crabs to thrive.

Pandus odifer – favorite food © Shawn Miller

A juvenile climbing on Pandanus tree searching for food.

Juvenile coconut crab © Shawn Miller

Okinawa’s harsh limestone coastline. The female must make the journey over this rough terrain to lay her eggs in the ocean.

Coconut crab – Onna village © Shawn Miller

Photographed on a white portable outdoor studio for the Meet Your neighbours project. ( Connecting people worldwide with the wildlife in their community )

In the 1970’s and 1980’s, taxidermy was popular in the Ryukyu Islands. I still find coconut crabs displayed on walls in restaurants and hotels.

Meet Crabzilla! – The most aggressive crab I have encountered on Okinawa. Coconut crabs are fearless and have bone crushing power. You do not want to get caught by the claw, You play you will Pay!!

Meet the Bone Crusher! This monster crab was over four pounds. Do not pick these crabs up if you do not know what you are doing. They can crack bones.

Coconut crabs spend their day hiding in burrows. They venture out searching for food late at night. This juvenile was found crossing the road.

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

Akamata – The Ryukyu odd-tooth snake

Posted on June 4, 2017 by Admin11

The Ryukyu odd-tooth snake (Lycodon semicarinatus) is a non-venomous snake found throughout the Ryukyu Islands. They are fairly common here on Okinawa and are usually found at night. The Akamata is a natural enemy of the venomous Habu snake. They are one of the few snakes capable of feeding on venomous pit vipers. More effort should be focused on conserving this native snake for this specific reason. This beautiful snake has been overlooked and needs to be protected. Sadly I see more dead on the road than alive.

- Scientific name: Lycodon semicarinatus
- Local name: Akamata – Ryukyu odd-tooth snake

- Distribution: Ryukyu Islands

- Habitat: Forests, drainage ditches, and housing areas

- Diet: Snakes, lizards, frogs, snakes, birds, baby sea turtles, and rodents.

- Average size: 100cm -180cm

Color: Black, orange with a yellow belly.

They are often found crossing the road at night.

When threatened they pull back, stand high and prepare to strike! They will bite when threatened.

This beautiful juvenile was photographed on a white for the Meet Your Neighbours Project. (Connecting People Worldwide with the Wildlife in their Community)

An albino specimen photographed in captivity at the local zoo.

Albino Akamata snake

The slow and low perspective found crossing the road at night.

Crossing the road - Ryukyu odd-tooth snake

The small snakes often feed on small lizards. This beauty ate a common gecko tail first.

A large Akamata feeding on an Okinawa tree frog.

A juvenile Akamata feeding on an Okinawa tree lizard.

The Akamata is one of the few snakes that feed on sea turtle hatchlings in northern Okinawa.

This was my first time seeing a juvenile akamata pull back and puff out its head to resemble the diamond shape of a venomous pit viper.

Is the coincidence or mimicry? I know this is a common occurrence with other non-venomous snakes around the world. I believe this juvenile snake saw me as a threat.

Ryukyu odd-tooth snake puffing its head © Shawn Miller

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

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.

Seashells of Okinawa by Shawn Miller

Posted on May 20, 2017 by Admin11

The beautiful seashells of the Ryukyu Islands.

It all started in 1989, I went to a friend’s house and saw some beautiful seashells displayed on a counter-top. My first thought was that they were fake or man-made. The intricate design of the Venus Comb Murex shell caught my eye. I was fascinated by the design and wanted to learn more about the animal that produced this beautiful shell.

I continued to collect, photograph and read more about marine mollusks from the Ryukyu Islands. I eventually started contributing my collection samples to worldwide museums, scientists, specialists and images for various scientific publications. I currently do not collect shells anymore but enjoy photographing the marine snails in their natural habitat.

General rules to shell collecting

Be respectful of the environment.
Only collect dead specimens
Avoid over collecting sea-shells
If you turn over rocks, place them back in the original position
Return all unwanted shells back to the coastline

Below are some of my favorite shells found on Okinawa.

Cypraea (Blasicrura) luchuana (Kuroda,1960) Okinawa

Avoid handling the venomous cone shells. They are often found reef walking during low tide.

The trident trumpet is sought after for its beauty. This marine snail is one of the few natural predators of the crown of thorn starfish. This large snail also feeds on a variety of starfish as well.

Sinezona milleri (Geiger & Sasaki, 2009) – Named for the collector of the type specimens, Shawn Miller of Nagahama, Okinawa, for his continued support in malacological research by providing marine sediment samples of Okinawa.

Sinezona milleri (Geiger & Sasaki , 2009)

Hemilienardia shawnmilleri. A new species named after naturalist and underwater photographer Shawn Miller. Described by Shawn Wiedrick.

Hemilienardia shawnmilleri

Calliostoma shawni (Poppe & Tagarao, 2020). A new species from Okinawa named after naturalist and underwater photographer Shawn Miller

Calliostoma shawni (Poppe & Tagarao, 2020)

This Giant helmet shell (Cassis cornuta) conformed around the rubber gasket (Marine debris). An interesting photograph, but our trash is becoming a serious problem.

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.

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

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

Know your nature with Shawn Miller. Have a great day!

Okinawa Nature Photography

沖縄自然写真 By Shawn Miller

Patterns, textures and colors ! Underwater Macro Photography by Shawn Miller

Ornate narrow mouth frog – Amphibians of Okinawa by Shawn Miller

Ryukyu flying fox – Bats of Okinawa

The Good, the Bad or the Evil – The Crow’s of Okinawa

Sea Turtle Art Show – Okinawa, Japan

Ryukyu green snake – Reptiles of Okinawa by Shawn Miller

Worms with tongues ! Blind snakes of Okinawa

The Coconut Crab – Terrestrial hermit crabs of the Ryukyu Islands

Akamata – The Ryukyu odd-tooth snake

Seashells of Okinawa by Shawn Miller