Hermit crabs living in plastic tubes by Shawn Miller

Posted on September 13, 2020 by Admin11

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.

Good Luck Charms on Okinawa – The Chiragra Spider Conch

Posted on June 30, 2020 by Admin11

Conch shells are locally collected for food on Okinawa. The shells are used for shell craft and jewelry. The Chiragra spider conch (Harpago chiragra) is considered a good luck charm. It is known to bring good fortune, worn of evil spirits, and provide protection against fire. The Okinawans place the Chiragra spider conch on the outside of houses and buildings.

Chiragra spider conch (Harpago chiragra)

Below are some of my favorite conch shells found in Okinawa.

Euprotomus bulla
Euprotomus aurisdianae
Euprotomus vomer
Lentigo pipus
Lentigo lentiginosus
Sinustrombus sinuatus
Lambis lambis
Thersistrombus thersites

Lambis scorpius - scorpion conch — Lambis scorpius

The beautiful conch shells are commonly confused with the hazardous cone shells. The main difference is that conch shells have a stromboid notch. A small side slit or indentation which allows the animal to see while moving. The conch shells movement is much different as well, they travel using a jumping style movement instead of a steady crawling motion.

Strawberry conch shells © Shawn Miller Conomurex luhuanus — Conomurex luhuanus

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

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.

Getting Funky with Polarized Light

Posted on April 30, 2020 by Admin11

Feeling isolated? Dust off the camera and get creative indoors. Capture cool colors with polarization.

Equipment used

Camera: Nikon D500
Lens: Tokina 100mmacro
Manfrotto tripod
Kenko circular polarizer filter
White computer screen
Clear plastic

Instructions: Place the clear plastic item on the computer screen (white background). Rotate the polarizer lens until the screen turns black. Compose, expose, focus, and take the shot. I recommend using a remote timer for long exposures.

Although these images are pretty cool looking, single-use plastic continues to be a massive problem worldwide.

Beach trash -hermit crabs — Beach trash -hermit crab

Learn more about the new Tokina 100mm macro lens

Learn more about making a difference, TEDx talk | Adapting to or Changing Environment by Shawn M Miller

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.

Mangrove Forests of Okinawa

Posted on March 22, 2020 by Admin11

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 

Provide nursery areas for small fish
Provide coastal protection from storms
Clean toxins out of the fresh water
Reduce carbon dioxide

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

The Habu Hunters of Okinawa

Posted on December 25, 2019 by Admin11

The Taiwanese Habu was introduced to Okinawa in the 1970’s. They were imported for exhibitions and medical purposes. Somehow a few escaped and have populated the Island. I have seen over a dozen on my night hikes in Onna village.

Scientific name: Protobothrops mucrosquamatus
Common name: Taiwanese habu or Brown spotted pit viper
Habitat: Rock walls, trees, and caves
Diet: Frogs, bats, mice, and birds
Average size: 80-150cm

Taiwanese babus snakes of Okinawa -Protobothrops mucrosquamatus — Taiwanese habu

The local government is actively trying to eliminate this invasive habu. Live traps are set up all around the Island. Do not open!

Last night, I saw a Taiwanese habu poking its head out of the sugar cane. There was a dead mouse three feet away on the road. I turned the car around and waited for a few minutes with my lights off. Eventually, a small Taiwanese habu slithered out of the field. I was hoping to see the habu eat the mouse. Instinct kicked in and the snake fled the scene. I returned in the morning, and the mouse was gone.

Dangerous habu snakes — Taiwanes habu- Onna village

I often find them crossing the road or on sidewalks. It is wise to carry a flashlight on your night walks. The Taiwanese habu is aggressive and highly venomous. If you see one do not try and catch it.

Taiwanese habu- neighborhood at night -Protobothrops mucrosquamatus — Taiwanes habu- Onna village

Habu snake on a fence — Taiwanes habu- Onna villlage

Okinawa has three species of pit vipers. If you would like to learn more, check out my previous post on the venomous snakes of Okinawa.

This site is also designed to help people identify the beautiful animals of Okinawa, basically to serve as an online nature reference guide. Please consider making a contribution to support my mission

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

Thriving Upside Down by Shawn Miller

Posted on December 14, 2019 by Admin11

Randall’s assessor (Assessor randalli) is a rare fish found living in submarine caves. They are usually seen hovering upside down in small groups. The male guards the eggs by keeping them in his mouth until they hatch (mouthbrooders). A challenging fish to find and photograph. These exotic species are sought after by fish collectors.

* This species is named after Ichthyologist John Ernest Randall.

Scientific name: Assessor randalli
Common name: Randall’s assessor or Randall’s devilfish
Distribution: Japan-Taiwan
Habitat: Submarine caves
Diet: Crabs, shrimp, and fish
Average size: 25-40mm
Color: Dark blue

Can you see the assessor’s hovering upside down?

Why do these fish live upside down?

A way to confuse predators
Evasive stratedy, making it easier to back into crevises
An adaption made for presision swimming among the submarine caves

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

Gigantic Banana Spiders on Okinawa by Shawn Miller

Posted on November 23, 2019 by Admin11

The golden orb weaver (Nephila pilipes) is the largest spider found on Okinawa. They can be found in parks, forests and gardens. This massive spider is fairly common on Okinawa.

Always look up!

They usually make their web up high in trees. I have also seen their web in the middle of a trail at eye level.

Scientific name: Nephila pilipes
Common Name: Golden orb weaver / banana spider
Distribution: Ryukyu Islands
Habitat: Forests, gardens and parks
Diet: Insects
Average Size: Female 17-20cm

Their web is extremely strong. They have been know to catch small bats, cicadas and a variety of large insects

This species displays sexual dimorphism, The female is much larger than the male.

Nephila pilipes fluoresces under ultraviolet light. The fluorescence serves as a warning sign for large animals. Making a spider web this size takes a lot of time and effort.

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

I Finally Found the Yanbaru Kuina

Posted on November 9, 2019 by Admin11

When I tell people I am a nature photographer, they often ask me if I have ever seen a Yanbaru kuina. Friends are always so excited to tell me that they found a Yanbaru kuina in central Okinawa. I feel bad telling them the bad news. More than likely, they found a common moorhen. The common moorhen is often mistaken for the Yanbaru kuina.

The Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) has a bright red head shield, yellow legs with distinctive white feathers underneath. The Common moorhen is found near marshes, local parks and small rivers. This bird is very common in Okinawa

Scientific name: Gallinula chloropus
Common Name: Common moorhen
Distribution: Okinawan wide
Habitat: City parks, rivers and creeks
Diet: Vegetation and small aquatic animals
Average Size: 30 to 37 cm

The Difference: The Yanbaru kuina ( Okinawa rail ) has an orange beak with bright orange legs. The underneath is black with white bars.

The Yanbaru kuina is a flightless bird found in northern Okinawa. It is a protected species and declared a living natural treasure. It is currently listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as an endangered species. In 2012 populations of this endemic bird were estimated at 1500 by the Environment Ministry. As of October 2016 populations have declined to 480 mature individuals according to IUCN assessment.

Scientific name: Hypotaenidia okinawae
Common Name: Okinawa Rail
Japanese Name: Yanbaru kuina
Distribution: Northern Okinawa
Habitat: Forests
Diet: Small insects, worms, snails and fruit.
Average Size: 31cm
Threats: Habitat loss, and the threat of mongoose and feral cats.

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

Light & Motion Sola Photo 1200 – The Ultimate Focus Light For Night Divers

Posted on October 22, 2019 by Admin11

The Light & Motion Sola Photo 1200 is the most popular modeling light used for underwater macro photography. I have been using Sola lights for over seven years now. All Light & Motion lights are easy to use, lightweight, and reliable. My favorite feature of the Sola Photo 1200 is the red light option. This feature enables the user to photograph marine life without disturbing them. Some marine animals do not see red light.

Sola 1200 focus light

Best features of the L&M Sola Photo 1200

Factory sealed body ensures flood-free performance
Compatible with a ball mount, ys mount and loc-line
SOS mode – Emergency function
Adjustable light output -1200 lumens (white light max)
Red light feature

Nauticam housing – Nikon D500

Nudibranch and Sola 1200

The red light feature works outstanding underwater. Get creative with blending red and white light during your dives.

Sea cucumber Art

The red light feature works great for photographing nudibranch’s, sea turtles, and cephalopods during night-dives. These animals are less affected by the red light.

Nauticam and Sola 1200

Check out the eye of the cuttlefish. The pupil is wide open (dilated)

Photographed using the Sola 1200 (red)

With white light, the pupil is constricted. The cuttlefish looks irritated by the bright light.

Photographed using the Sola 1200 (white)

Below are a few photographs of my dive buddies using the red feature.

Motion sickness (In camera triple exposure)

Multiple exposure Ie Island

Scuba-diving with a spin

If you would like to test the Sola Photo 1200, please let me know. Friends and supporters – Save 20% off your first Light & Motion purchase https://prz.io/648x6bGC1

Learn more about this product and accessories offered at the Light & Motion Website.

Shawn Miller Underwater by Russell Gilbert

I want to thank Tokina, Light & Motion, Nightsea, and Black Fin Grouper for all their continuous support over the years.

#MakeTheSwitch4Nature

Designated Flora and Fauna of Okinawa Prefecture

Posted on October 20, 2019 by Admin11

Okinawa is a subtropical paradise with warm weather and beautiful beaches. The Island has some of the best scuba diving in the world. Okinawa is rich in natural scenery. We have a variety of endemic species only found here.

Designated Flora and Fauna of Okinawa Prefectural

(1) The Double-lined fusilier (Pterocaesio digramma) was designated as Okinawa’s prefectural fish in 1972. The Gurukun (local name) is the most popular fish served in local restaurants. The small fish has two distinctive bright yellow lines running along the body. Found in large schools over coral reefs.

Double-lines fusilier – Nightdive

They can change color and pattern to avoid detection on the reef.

Banafish (Pterocaesio digramma)

(2) The Deigo flower (Indian coral bean) was designated as Okinawa’s prefectural flower in 1972. The elegant flowers bloom in March, April and May. The sweet smell attracts a variety of insects, fruit bats, and birds during the season.

Deigo tree

Deigo tree

The sweet smell attracts a variety of insects, fruit bats, and birds during the season.

Deigo flower (Indian coral bean)

(3) The Okinawan woodpecker (Dendrocopos noguchii) was designated as Okinawa’s prefectural bird in 1972. This beautiful woodpecker is a living natural treasure of Japan. Populations of the critically endangered species are declining rapidly.

Okinawan woodpecker (Dendrocopos noguchii)

A few photographs of the Okinawa woodpecker (prefectural bird) feeding on the Deigo flower (prefectural flower).

Okinawan woodpecker and Deigo flower

Okinawan woodpecker and Deigo flower

The Okinawan woodpecker was featered in National Geographic for the series Wildlife as canon sees it (May 2015)

Okinawa Woodpecker by Shawn Miller

(4) The Ryukyu pine tree (Pinus Luchuensis Mayr) was designated as Okinawa’s prefectural tree in 1972.

Zakimi pine forest

Nento Hiramatsu is the oldest pine tree located on Iheya Island. This beautiful pine tree is listed as a living natural treasure of Japan.

Nento Hiramatsu, Iheya Island

The beautiful Ryukyu Pine forest at Zakimi Castle.

Ryukyu Pine trees – Zakimi

The Okinawa woodpecker (prefectural bird) searching for insects on The Ryukyu pine tree (prefectural tree). The Okinawa woodpecker is native to the Yanbaru forest in northern Okinawa.

Okinawa woodpecker and Ryukyu Pine

I love the natural shapes of the Ryukyu Pine trees. (Natures fine art)

Ryukyu Pine on Ie Island

My Mission: To Protect and Preserve the Wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands for Future Generations

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

Okinawa Nature Photography

沖縄自然写真 By Shawn Miller

Hermit crabs living in plastic tubes by Shawn Miller

Good Luck Charms on Okinawa – The Chiragra Spider Conch

Getting Funky with Polarized Light

Mangrove Forests of Okinawa

The Habu Hunters of Okinawa

Thriving Upside Down by Shawn Miller

Gigantic Banana Spiders on Okinawa by Shawn Miller

I Finally Found the Yanbaru Kuina

Light & Motion Sola Photo 1200 – The Ultimate Focus Light For Night Divers

Designated Flora and Fauna of Okinawa Prefecture