Nature therapy- Chasing waterfalls on Iriomote Island

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This was my fist time exploring Iriomote Island and I have to say it was an outstanding experience.  We were fortunate to have great weather with sunny days. The waterfalls were flowing with clear pristine water.  The twelve hour hike with an experienced guide and four good friends (Pete Leong, Mark Thorpe, Vish Lazcano and Nayuta Hirana) paid off.

The mission was to get some nature therapy and photograph three Impressive waterfalls. I spent most of my time just enjoying the moment and taking documentation photographs with my GoPro Hero 4 Silver.

This was our first view of Maryudo falls in the distance.

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Mariyudo falls, Iriomote

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Mariyudo falls, Iriomote Island

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Mariyudo no-taki, Iriomote Island

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Shooting Mariyudo falls, Iriomote Island

Mariyudo falls is a popular swimming area.  Watch out for leeches!

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Shooting Mariyudo falls, Iriomote Island

On to the next waterfall, Kanpire waterfall is only a ten minute walk from Mariyudo.

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Kanpire waterfall -Iriomote

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Kanpire waterfall -Iriomote

The two hour hike begins! time to find the most amazing waterfall known as Mayagusuku falls.

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Freshwater pools -Iriomote

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River trekking – Iriomote Island

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River trekking – almost there!

We finally made it to Mayagusuku falls! It was worth the hike!

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Mayagusuku falls -Iriomote Island

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Mayagusuku falls -Iriomote Island

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Mayagusuku falls -Iriomote Island

The climb to the top was the most impressive part of my trip ! The falls reminded me of a scene cut from Jurassic park.

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Mayagusuku falls -Iriomote Island

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Mayagusuku falls -Iriomote Island

I really didn’t want to leave this waterfall but we had get back before nightfall.

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The beauty of Iriomote Island

Twelve hours later…  we made it back safe!

Hummingbirds on Okinawa By Shawn Miller

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I’m sorry to disappoint you but we do not have any hummingbirds on Okinawa.  We do have hawk moths that resemble hummingbirds. The hawk moths are also called hummingbird moths. They are extremely fast and challenging to photograph.

I used a slow shutter speed to convey motion in the wings of the Hummingbird hawk moth (Macroglossum corythus)

Hummingbird hawk-moth

Hummingbird hawk-moth

I often find the insects feeding early morning and or late in the evening. They feed using a long proboscis to drink the nectar.

Hummingbird hawk-moth

Hummingbird hawk-moth

They are hard to see since they are small (35 -45mm) and move extremely fast. They can be heard creating a humming sound as they fly by. They hover for a short period of time collecting the nectar and move on to the next flower.

Hummingbird hawk-moth

Hummingbird hawk-moth

Hummingbird hawk-moth

Hummingbird hawk-moth

The Convolvulus hawk moth ( Agrius convolvuli ) is the largest hawk moth I have seen on Okinawa.

Convolvulus hawk moth

Convolvulus hawk moth

Convolvulus hawk moth

Convolvulus hawk moth

The Impatiens Hawk moth feeds in the evening. I found this moth resting on a plant.

Impatiens Hawk Moth (Theretra oldenlandiae)

Impatiens Hawk Moth (Theretra oldenlandiae)

Photographed on white for the Meet Your Neighbours project

Hawk moth - MYN

Hawkmoth – MYN

Impatiens Hawk Moth (Theretra oldenlandiae) larvae photographed on white using the MYN studio technique.

Impatiens Hawk Moth (Theretra oldenlandiae) larvae

Impatiens Hawk Moth (Theretra oldenlandiae) larvae

Green Pergesa Hawk moth larvae ( Pergesa acteaus)

Green Pergesa Hawk moth larvae ( Pergesa acteaus)

 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.

The Hallowell’s tree frog – Okinawa

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The Hallowell’s tree frog ( Hyla hallowellii ) is found on Okinawa, Amami and Tokunoshima Island.

  • Scientific name: Hyla hallowellii
  • Common name: Hallowell’s tree frog
  • Distribution: Ryukyu Islands
  • Habitat: Forests, grassy areas and farm fields near water.
  • Diet: Insects
  • Average size: 30mm-40mm
  • Color: Bright green with a white belly

The Hallowell’s tree frog is fairly common but not often seen.  The beautiful frog lives high above the ground in trees making it difficult to find and photograph.

The Hallowell's tree frog

The Hallowell’s tree frog

They are easy to locate during mating season. The male produces a fairly high pitch squeak sound over and over.

The Hallowell's tree frog

The Hallowell’s tree frog -vocal sac

The Hallowell's tree frog

The Hallowell’s tree frog -mating call

The Hallowell's tree frog

The Hallowell’s tree frog

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Let’s protect the wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands.

 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 Kajika frog – Amphibians of the Ryukyu Islands

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The Ryukyu Kajika frog (  Buergeria japonica ) is found throughout the Ryukyu Islands. It is the most common frog found on Okinawa.

  • Scientific name: Buergeria japonica
  • Common name: Ryukyu Kajika frog
  • Distribution: Ryukyu Islands
  • Habitat: Forests, mountain slopes, drainage ditches and farm fields.
  • Diet: Small Insects
  • Average size: 25mm-40mm
  • Color: Olive green, brown and golden yellow

This small frog is a master of camouflage. I often find it on rocks, plants, trees, drainage ditches and even our trash.

Ryukyu Kajika frog on tatami mat

Ryukyu Kajika frog on tatami mat

Ryukyu Kajika frog

Ryukyu Kajika frog -macro

Ryukyu Kajika frog

Ryukyu Kajika frog – Kume Island

Ryukyu Kajika frog

Ryukyu Kajika frog

Ryukyu Kajika frog

Ryukyu Kajika frog- manhole cover

This is the only frog on Okinawa that is capable of living on the shoreline next to the ocean. I have photographed them as close as five feet away from the saltwater.

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Ryukyu Kajika frog- skin discoloration

Beach dwelling Kajika frog

Beach-dwelling Kajika frog

Beach dwelling Kajika frog

Beach-dwelling Kajika frog

A beautiful Kajika frog in the jungles of Iriomote Island.

Kajika frog -Iriomote Island

Kajika frog -Iriomote Island

Photographed on white for the Meet Your Neighbours Project

Ryukyu Kajika frog - MYN

Ryukyu Kajika frog – MYN

The males turn a golden yellow during mating season. The season stretches from April to September on Okinawa.

Ryukyu Kajika frog - Amami Island

Ryukyu Kajika frog – Amami Island

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Ryukyu Kajika frog – mating

Ryukyu Kajika frog

Ryukyu Kajika frog – drainage ditch

The eggs are laid in slow-moving and still water sources. The eggs will develop into tadpoles and eventually transform into baby frogs.  I often find tadpoles thriving in farming water buckets.

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Juvenile Kajika frog

The summer months provide a great opportunity for natural predators.The frogs come together in large numbers.

Crab feeding on frogs

Crab feeding on frogs

Ryukyu Kajika frog

Pryer’s keelback feeding

Never give up

Never give up

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Never give up -Okinawa, Japan

If you see frogs, there is a possibility that snakes are nearby. The snakes patiently wait for frogs in drainage ditches and still water sources. The Kajika frog is the Hime habu’s favourite meal.

Hime habu - GoPro

Hime habu – GoPro

Have a great day!

Asian grass frog – Amphibians of the Ryukyu Islands

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The Asian grass frog  ( Fejervarya kawamurai) is found on Mainland Japan and most of the Ryukyu Islands. The warty frog is fairly common on Okinawa. It’s biggest threats are pesticide exposure and habitat loss.

  • Scientific name: Fejervarya kawamurai
  • Common name: Asian grass frog, marsh frog and common pond frog
  • Distribution: Ryukyu Islands and Mainland Japan
  • Habitat: Rice fields, ditches, marshes, parks and farm fields.
  • Diet: Insects
  • Average size: 45mm-75mm
  • Color: light brown with a white belly
Asian grass frog - 60mm macro

Asian grass frog – Canon 70d * 60mm macro

Wide angle macro - Canon 70d *Tokina fisheye

Wide angle macro – Canon 70d *Tokina fisheye

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Asian grass frog- Macro

Asian marsh frog - drainage ditch

Asian marsh frog – drainage ditch

Asian marsh frog

Asian marsh frog

Asian grass frog feeding

Asian grass frog feeding

Asian marsh frog - Okuma resort

Asian marsh frog – Okuma resort

Asian grass frog -MYN

Asian grass frog -MYN

Egret feeding -the last goodbye

Egret feeding -the last goodbye

Have a great day!

Okinawa green tree frog – Ryukyu Islands

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The Okinawa green tree frog ( Rhacophorus viridis viridis ) is found on Okinawa, Iheya and Kume Island.

  • Scientific name: Rhacophorus viridis viridis
  • Common name: Okinawa Green tree frog
  • Distribution: Okinawa, Kume, and Iheya.
  • Habitat: Forests, mountain slopes and farm fields near water.
  • Diet: Insects
  • Average size: 45mm-75mm
  • Color: Olive green, Bright green and dark brown
Okinawa Green tree frog

Okinawa Green tree frog © Shawn Miller

This beautiful frog is a master of camouflage.  I often find it resting on tree branches, blending in with the surrounding green leaves.

Natural habitat

Natural habitat © Shawn Miller

Green tree frog

Green tree frog © Shawn Miller

Amami green tree frog ( Rhacophorus viridis amamiensis)

Amami green tree frog ( Rhacophorus viridis amamiensis) © Shawn Miller

The breeding season stretches from February to April on Okinawa.

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Green tree frog mating © Shawn Miller

On Kume Island the tree frogs transform to a golden brown when mating.

Kume Island tree frog

Kume Island tree frog © Shawn Miller

They construct a foam nest on a tree branch above a still water source. Eventually, the foam liquefies when the eggs are ready to hatch.

Frog foam nest

Frog foam nest © Shawn Miller

Not all frogs survive to make the nest. The Akamata is the most common snake on the Okinawan Islands.  It feeds on venomous habu snakes, baby sea turtles, lizards, and frogs.

Akamata feeding

Akamata snake feeding © Shawn Miller

Photographed on white for the Meet your Neighbours global biodiversity project.

MYN Technique

MYN Technique © Shawn Miller

MYN Technique

MYN Technique © Shawn Miller

Green tree frog

Green tree frog © Shawn Miller

I often find this frog searching for insects on the road.

Roadside green tree frog

Roadside green tree frog © Shawn Miller

” Know your nature with Shawn Miller ” Let’s protect the wildlife of Okinawa.

 

 

Seagulls on Okinawa by Shawn Miller

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Every winter, I see a few Black-tailed gulls (Larus crassirostris) on our shorelines. They generally do not stay for longer than two weeks. In January 2016,  I photographed eight Black-tailed gulls on Nagahama beach. Four gulls had oil residue stuck on their feathers. The birds were constantly bathing in the sea water and preening. The Black-tailed gulls are abundant on the mainland, but on Okinawa they are a rare sight.

Juvenile Black-tailed gull

Possible reasons why there are no seagulls living on Okinawa.  

  • Warm water temperatures – too warm ( 68F- 88F)
  • Not enough food (fish, worms, mollusks)
  • Competition with other birds ( osprey, terns and crows )
  • Small land mass

A mature Black-tailed gull bathing and preening. It was working hard trying to get the oil residue off its feathers.

Black-tailed gull bathing

Black-tailed gull drying off

Shaking off

Shaking off

Black-tailed gull preening

Black-tailed gull preening

Black-tailed gull

Black-tailed gull

Black-tailed gull

Mature gulls feeding on fish scraps

Black-tailed gull feeding

Black-tailed gull feeding

Have a great day !    

Light-painting with the nightsea by Shawn Miller

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Light painting is the artistic technique of moving a hand held-light source while taking a long exposure. The purpose is to illuminate the subject with constant lighting to create a powerful image.  It takes a steady hand, patience, trial and error and imagination. Using a specialized blue light (nightsea) will allow you to capture fluorescence. The images will be enhanced with beautiful bright vibrant colors.

Most plants and animals fluoresce under blue light. Below are some of my favorite long-exposures photographed using the Nightsea and a Canon 70d.  I also included some comparison photos under white light.

Beautiful cherry blossoms under blue light, Okinawa-Japan

Cherry blossum under blue light

Cherry blossom under blue light

Cherry blossum under blue light

Cherry blossom under blue light

Psychedelic cherry blossoms

Psychedelic cherry blossoms

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Cherry blossom |white light

Sunflowers show some fluorescence under blue light, Okinawa-Japan

Sundflower under blue light

Sundflower under blue light

Sunflower under white light -zoom panning

Sunflower under white light -zoom panning

The animal must not move in order to get a sharp image during a long-exposure.

Rhinoceros coconut beetle under blue light

Rhinoceros coconut beetle under blue light

Rhinoceros coconut beetle under white light

Rhinoceros coconut beetle under white light

Onomustus kanoi fluorescence

( Onomustus kanoi ) fluorescence photography

Cicada under blue light

Cicada under blue light by Shawn Miller

Cicada under white light

Cicada under white light

The Rosy gypsy moth (Lymantria mathura) Under blue light

The Rosy gypsy moth (Lymantria mathura) Under blue light

The Rosy gypsy moth (Lymantria mathura) Under white light -

The Rosy gypsy moth (Lymantria mathura) Under white light –

More flowers painted with the Light & Motion Nightsea

Flowers under blue light

Flowers under blue light

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Flowers under blue light

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Cactus under blue light

Mochi leaf flower under blue light

Mochi leaf flower under blue light

Flower under blue light

Flower under blue light

Light-painting with the Nightsea and Sola 600 red light

Light-painting Okinawa

Light-painting Okinawa

Blue light comparison (450nm) with UV (385)

Blue 450 vrs uv385

Blue comparison – 450nm vrs uv 385nm

Equipment used

  • Light&Motion Sola Nightsea or Gobe blue light
  • Modeling light Gobe 700 wide (white light) to lock in focus
  • Camera with Manual capabilities and macro lens (Canon 70d *60macro)
  • Manfrotto Tripod and remote
  • Barrier filter (block the reflected blue light )

My above water camera setup for fluorescence

Fluorescence photography setup -Shawn Miller

Fluorescence photography setup -Shawn Miller

The Light & Motion Nightsea Dive light.

Sola NightSea underwater blue light

Sola NightSea underwater blue light

My underwater setup for photographing fluorescence.

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Friends and supporters – Save 20% off your first Light & Motion purchase https://prz.io/648x6bGC1

I want to thank  Light & Motion and Nightsea for all their continuous support over the years.

Ryukyu Long tailed Giant Rat – Ryukyu Islands

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The Ryukyu Long-Tailed Giant Rat (Diplothrix legata) is an endangered species found on Amami, Tokuno and Okinawa Island. This rare species is currently listed as endangered on the IUCN red list of threatened species.  It’s biggest threats are deforestation, feral cats, dogs and the introduced mongoose. I often see it crossing the road during the night in the Yanbaru forest. Please pay attention to crossing wildlife and drive at a safe speed.

Ryukyu Long-tailed giant rat

Ryukyu Long-tailed giant rat

Natural habitat -Yanbaru

Yanbaru  – balancing on a power line

searching for food

Searching for food – Natural habitat

Below,  Is a disturbing scene I stumbled upon in northern Okinawa.  I don’t know exactly what ate this mid-sized rat but more than likely it was a feral cat.

Ryukyu Long-Tailed Giant Rat (Diplothrix legata)

Ryukyu Long-Tailed Giant Rat (Diplothrix legata)

Feral cats are a huge problem in Northern Okinawa.

Feral cats

Feral cats by Shawn Miller

Please watch your speed while driving through the wildlife protected area in Northern Okinawa.

Road kill © Shawn Miller

The Yanbaru forest is designated as a wildlife protection area by the Okinawan prefecture, It extends from Nago to Kunigami village.

Yanbaru forest

Yanbaru forest

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.

#MakeTheSwitch4Nature

 

Nudibranchs – Colorful sea slugs of Okinawa

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Nudibranchs are shell-less gastropods. They are some of the most bizarre-looking underwater animals found in our oceans. They can be challenging to find due to their small size and confusing patterns. Nudibranchs are slow-moving, delicate and lack a protective shell. Some are extremely distasteful and bright colors warn predators that they are toxic. Some even have the ability to ingest stinging cells and use them as a form of protection.

The best way to find sea slugs:    Move slow!  Search around sponges, hydroids, sea squirts, anemones, soft coral, rocks and reef ledges.

Train the eye:  They can be challenging to find, I recommend tagging along with experienced divers that already have an eye for finding them.

Below are some of my favorite images of sea slugs. Photography by Shawn M Miller.

Chromodoris willani

Chromodoris willani © Shawn Miller

Phestilla melanobranchis

Phestilla melanobranchis© Shawn Miller

Phyllidia varicosa

Phyllidia varicosa© Shawn Miller

Roboasta gracillis

Roboasta gracillis© Shawn Miller

Chromodoris aureopurpurea

Chromodoris aureopurpurea© Shawn Miller

 

Aldisa albatrossae

Aldisa albatrossae© Shawn Miller

Tritonospsilla alba

Tritonospsilla alba© Shawn Miller

Phyllidia elegans

Phyllidia elegans© Shawn Miller

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Gymnodoris nigrocolor – parasite© Shawn Miller

Chromodoris kuniei

Chromodoris kuniei© Shawn Miller

Chromodoris annae

Chromodoris annae© Shawn Miller

Chromodoris sp

Chromodoris sp -space odyssey© Shawn Miller

Janolus sp

Janolus sp© Shawn Miller

Noumea angstolutea

Noumea angstolutea© Shawn Miller

Chromodoris coi

Chromodoris coi© Shawn Miller

Phyllidia coelestis

Phyllidia coelestis© Shawn Miller

Flabellina rubrolineata

Flabellina rubrolineata© Shawn Miller

Glossodoris cruenta

Glossodoris cruenta© Shawn Miller

Chromodoris annae -Ryukyu flare

Chromodoris annae -Ryukyu flare© Shawn Miller

Learn more about the beautiful sea slugs of Okinawa.  Check out Dr. Bolland’s Website!

 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.

#MakeTheSwitch4Nature