The Paintpot Cuttlefish – Cephalopods in Okinawa

The Paintpot cuttlefish (Metasepia tulbergi) is one of the most beautiful marine animals in Okinawa. The skin of the paintpot cuttlefish is toxic (poisonous) if consumed. The paintpot cuttlefish contains a neurotoxin called tetrodotoxin (venom) used to paralyze its prey. Avoid handling or harassing this beautiful animal. If bitten, seek immediate medical treatment.
  • Scientific name: Metasepia tulbergi
  • Common name:  Paintpot cuttlefish or flamboyant
  • Distribution:  Ryukyu Islands
  • Habitat:  Sandy bottom and coral reefs
  • Diet: Crabs, shrimp, and fish
  • Average size: 50-80mm
  • Color: Golden-yellow with red coloration
DSC_4989 Cool facts about the Paintpot Cuttlefish  
  1. They have eight arms and two tentacles
  2. They are capable of producing a dark cloud of ink to escape from predators
  3. They have a parrot-like beak used for eating prey
  4. They use jet propulsion to move quickly through the water
  5. They can change their texture, pattern, color, and shape
  6. They use their arms to walk on the sand
  7. They are considered venomous and poisonous
When threatened, the paintpot cuttlefish produces vibrant colors to warn predators that they are toxic. The scientific term for this is aposematism. DSC_8214 They have a two-part parrot-like beak used for feeding. Cephalopod Beak Cephalopods can produce a cloud of ink to confuse and escape from predators when threatened. Cephalopod ink Below is a sequence of images, displaying their ability to change texture, shape, and color. They are masters of camouflage. An example of how well they blend into their environment. DSC_8207DSC_8208If detected or threatened, they will display colorful warning signs. DSC_8209DSC_8211

Every year, I look forward to finding the gigantic paintpot cuttlefish named Paintpot-Zilla. 20130617-DSC_0519-2

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

If you would like to help me make a difference Please check out my Patreon Site 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

Poisonous Plants of Okinawa

A great way to combat stress is to get outdoors and exercise daily (Nature Therapy). I enjoy hiking through the jungle, beach walking, scuba diving, swimming, and riding my mountain bike. It’s important to be familiar with the dangers related to all your outdoor adventures. If you are new to the Island, make sure you are familiar with the poisonous plants (below), toxic caterpillarsvenomous snakes, and the hazardous marine life on Okinawa.

Sago Palm Sunset

Sago Palm and Sunset

The Sago Palm (Cycas revolute) is an abundant plant found in Okinawa. All parts of the plant are extremely toxic. If ingested seek immediate medical treatment.

The orange seeds look inviting but are extremely toxic. Do not eat this fruit!

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Toxic orange seeds

The male plant resembles a large pine cone.

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Male Sago Palm

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Sago Palm leaves

Moses in the Cradle (Tradescantia spathacea) is an invasive plant found in Okinawa. All parts of the plant are poisonous. Avoid touching or ingesting this plant. If ingested seek immediate medical treatment

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Moses in the Cradle

Contact with the plant sap will cause severe itching and redness of the skin. I found out the hard way!

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Moses in the Cradle injury

Illegal dumping is an ongoing problem in Okinawa.  Introduced species create a huge problem for native wildlife.

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The elephant ear (Colocasia sp) is an abundant plant found growing everywhere in Okinawa.  Contact with the plant sap will cause itching and redness of the skin. Avoid touching or ingesting this wild plant.

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Elephant ear

The sea mango (Cebera manghas) is a common poisonous plant found in Okinawa. I often find these plants growing on the side of the road. All parts of the plant are poisonous. Avoid touching or ingesting this plant. If ingested seek immediate medical treatment 

The fruit looks inviting but is extremely toxic. Do not eat this fruit!

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The sea mango

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The sea mango plant

The Oleander plant (Nerium oleander) is an introduced plant found in Okinawa. The decorative plant is usually planted close to fence lines.  All parts of the plant are poisonous.  Avoid touching or ingesting this plant. If ingested seek immediate medical treatment.

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Oleander plant (Nerium oleander)

 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

Gigantic Hermit Crabs Found On Okinawa

Last year, a friend and I stumbled upon a local beach with gigantic hermit crabs. All of the hermit crabs were found adapting with non-native seashells.

Indonesian hermit crab (Coenbita brevimanus)

Indonesian hermit crab (Coenbita brevimanus)

Where did these shells come from?  The shell shack

The shell shack is an old wooden shed filled with boxes of imported craft shells from the Philippines. The hermit crabs found an opening and took advantage of this real estate.

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Polished muffin (Ryssota ovum)

The most abundant shell was the polished muffin (Ryssota ovum) land snail. This shell is native to the Philippines and is twice the size of any land snail on Okinawa. The muffin shell is a perfect mobile home for the land hermit crabs. It’s lightweight, durable and large.

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perspective photograph

The hermit crabs were healthy and doing well. I didn’t see any hermit crabs adapting with plastic or any twist top caps.

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Land hermit crab (Coenobita cavipes)

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Land hermit crab (Coenobita cavipes)

I also found hermit crabs adapting with a variety of marine shells from the Philippines at the same location.

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Babylonia arealata (Coenobita purpureus)

hermit crab

hexaplex cichoreum (Coenobita cavipes)

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Volema carinifera (Coenobita cavipes)

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Melanella candida (Coenobita purpureus)

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Casmaria erinaceus (Coenobita purpureus)

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hexaplex cichoreum (Coenobita purpureus)

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Turbo chrysostomus (Coenobita purpureus)

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Tonna sulcosa (Coenobita cavipes)

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Learn more about hermit crabs and adaptive behavior ” Crabs with beach trash homes

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

House Geckos of Okinawa

The house gecko is the most abundant reptile on Okinawa. They can be found in apartments, buildings, public restrooms, outdoor phone booths, and vending machines. In many countries, they are considered good luck in the home.

  • Scientific name: Hemidactylus frenatus
  • Japanese name: Yamori
  • Distribution:  Ryukyu Islands
  • Habitat:  Forests, apartments, and public restrooms
  • Diet: Insects and small spiders
  • Average Size:  50mm-67mm

Okinawa House Gecko eye closup

Interesting facts about house geckos

  1. They have the ability to lay eggs on vertical walls
  2. They have no eyelids
  3. They can walk upside-down
  4. When threatened they can release their tail
  5. They communicate by making loud chirping sounds

House geckos have amazing night vision.

Their tongues are used for grooming, catching food, and searching for a mate.

Okinawa House Gecko eye closup

They have specialized walking pads with tiny hairs called setae. These hairs allow them to stick to surfaces and even walk up vertical walls.

Geckos are often found around artificial light sources (vending machines). The lights attract insects during the night. A buffet for the geckos!

Shawn Miller

Geckos and other wildlife are found in public restrooms. The light source attracts a variety of insects. Always check the scene before you sit down, you never know what’s hiding behind the toilet.

During the day, geckos seek shelter in warm areas. House geckos are responsible for high repair costs on air conditioning units. They crawl on the AC circuit board and cause it to short circuit. Repair costs are very expensive.

short circuit

House geckos usually lay only two eggs. This is a good example of a communal nesting site. These eggs were laid on a vertical concrete wall.

Gecko eggs Okinawa

Geckos are often found crossing public roads during the night.  Please pay attention to crossing wildlife. The ants took advantage of the roadkill.

Roadkill Okinawa

I often find geckos on local beaches near the coastal forest. Juvenile Ryukyu odd-toothed snakes (Akamata) prefer to feed on these sand-dwelling geckos.

Akamata feeding on a gecko - tail first

Even the geckos have to adapt with our waste. I found this gecko under a piece of marine debris washed ashore in northern Okinawa.

Beach gecko Okinawa

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

If you would like to help me make a difference Please check out my Patreon Site 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

Featured Artist | Hazel Cruzado

Octopus board

Hazel Cruzado is an amazing artist inspired by nature. I have collaborated with her on three separate occasions. The first was the Turtle conservation art show, the second was  Sharks and Rays fundraiser and the third was the Coral Conservation art show. All three events were held at the Okinawa Brewing Company and were a huge success!  Stop by and check out the huge OBC turtle logo, she is the artist that designed the perfect logo for the company.

 Purpose of the art shows:  To educate others about these amazing creatures and the major threats they are facing. To donate some of the profits for the art pieces to conservation organizations.

Below are some of my favorite art pieces by Hazel Cruzado.

Crabs2 The Night Crawler

Herbie Crab 1(m)

Her Story

Hazel Cruzado is a local artist from a small fishing village in Okinawa, Japan. Originally from the Philippines, she moved to Okinawa at age three with her family upon the invitation of her native Okinawan grandmother. Despite never having received formal training as an artist, the generous guidance of artistically minded friends and the unfailing support from her family encouraged her to pursue art full time in 2012. Living in Okinawa has allowed Hazel to enjoy many unique artistic traditions, natural beauties, and outdoor activities that the island has to offer. Her love for nature, particularly the sea, is a strong inspiration that is often portrayed in her work. Recent projects incorporate driftwood and sea glass, reclaimed/ up-cycled objects such as old surfboards and canvases from an old sail boat’s sail. Driftwood frames, meticulously and skillfully handmade by her husband, complete non-canvas paintings with its unique weather-worn look. Hazel creates art as a way to share the beauty she discovers in nature and ordinary things and hopes that her work may inspire others to live a life of gratitude, glorifying God the Creator of all things. 

Glide(m)

Check out more stunning work on her website

Have a great day!

The Art of Underwater Wide-Angle Photography – Tokina 10-17mm fisheye

I started shooting with the Tokina AT-X 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5 DXA back in 2012.  It is the most popular fisheye lens used for wide-angle underwater photography. It is also known for its close focusing capabilities underwater and on land. The lens is a high-quality product built for professionals working in the field. The Tokina 10-17mm Fisheye is my favorite lens in my bag and has been my go-to lens for the project “Crabs with Beach Trash Homes

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If you plan on using the fisheye lens underwater, you will need an underwater housing. I currently use the Nauticam Na-D500 with the 100mm Zen dome port (Dp-100-N120T).

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If you want to use the zoom function underwater, you must attach a zoom ring (P#19127) to the lens. The Nauticam zoom ring installation process is relatively easy.

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Below are some of my favorite underwater photographs taken with the Tokina AT-X 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5 DXA combined with my older Ikelite underwater setup. I mainly focus on macro photography, but I will be pushing myself to shoot more wide-angle this year. 

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Striped surgeonfish on the move (Rear curtain sync)

Ctenochaetus striatus on the move

Masked bannerfish on the move ( RCS )

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Okinawa is best known for its beautiful beaches and seascapes. All photographs were taken with the Tokina AT-X 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5 DXA.

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18237824403_2e1c1ab075_zLearn more about my favorite lens @ Tokinalens.com

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

Have a great day!

The Most Beautiful Bivalve In The World – Pedum spondyloideum

The Coral scallop (Pedum spondyloideum) is the most beautiful animal I have encountered underwater. The delicate bivalve lives within the hard coral its entire life.

  • Scientific name: Pedum spondyloideum
  • Distribution:  Ryukyu Islands
  • Habitat:  Hard corals in shallow water
  • Diet: Filter feeders
  • Average Size:  35mm-55mm

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What purpose do they serve in the ecosystem? Researchers believe these beautiful bivalves serve a beneficial function among hard corals.

  • Provide circulation for feeding coral
  • Defend the host by expelling water when threatened by corallivorous marine life

The hard coral provides the bivalve with support and protection. The shell is very thin and fragile. Below is a great example of a protected piece of coral with an army of coral scallops.

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The crown of thorns starfish is the most devesting predator of the coral. If the coral (host) dies the bivalve will not survive.

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The coral scallop is very thin and fragile. The living animal is much more beautiful than the protective shell it produces. These specimens were given to me by a fellow researcher.

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I first started photographing these beauties in 2010, below are some of my favorite images taken throughout the Ryukyu Islands.

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 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

Featured Artist | CJ French

 

CJ French is an amazing artist inspired by nature. I have collaborated with her on three separate occasions. The first was the Turtle conservation art show, the second was  Sharks and Rays fundraiser and the third was the Coral Conservation art show. All three events were held at the Okinawa Brewing Company and were a huge success!  She is an amazing musician as well, her band performed at the fundraisers.

 Purpose of the art shows:  To educate others about these amazing creatures and the major threats they are facing. To donate some of the profits for the art pieces to conservation organizations.

CJ’s Story

It all started when I was a toddler. I was holding an orange crayon after coloring on the wallpaper in my bedroom when my parents walked into the room and found me holding it behind my back. In fear of getting into trouble when they asked who had done it I blamed my sister.  From that moment I was given a sketchbook to perform my works of art. This began my journey of pencil sketching.

When I was 14 I decided I wanted to use a much bigger canvas. My parents purchased paint and allowed me to paint my first mural on the fire escape in our house. I found happiness during the night hours with the floodlight beaming down into the fire escape as I painted onto my first concrete canvas.  Additionally, I was enrolled in art classes during this time which further developed my love for various mediums as I started experimenting with watercolor and textures in my paintings.

In college, my artwork took a backburner to my studies but when time allowed, I would resort back to sketching on a pad with pencil-typically on my notes and outlines during classes. This continued into adulthood. Sometimes ideas for new pieces were born from sketches. I would fill my apartment with acrylic paintings but only viewed art as a hobby.

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As an adult with two children (4 and 5 years old), my love for acrylic painting was reunited when the three of us worked on a piece together. I asked them to help me pick the colors they see when they open their eyes in the ocean. From there, we completed our first abstract ocean-inspired piece together which still hangs in our bedroom.

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I painted pieces for the children’s bedrooms depending on what they were into at the time, whether it be princesses or transformers. All the while completing works of art on my surfboards as an outlet to continually use new mediums-this time it was Posca pens on surfboards and skateboards.

When we finally made the move to Okinawa and I was fortunate enough to meet fellow artists, I was encouraged to provide artwork for OISTs art show with profit donations benefiting marine conservation efforts. Finally, my passion for art collided with my love for the ocean! The first art show was to benefit sea turtle conservation. Much to my surprise, every piece submitted had sold. I was so thankful to find a community that was encouraging and inspiring! I have continued to donate a portion of every one of my pieces to marine conservation.

Most recently when I saw the call for artists to paint the OkiLife building, I immediately jumped at the opportunity to paint a mural again. Completing this mural with the artists I had met on the island was such a great experience. Although we all have different styles and techniques, the artwork came together organically. Currently, my artwork is on display at the OkiLife building.  I will continue to explore the range of mediums, as evidenced by the displays.  You can find everything ranging from a surfboard with Posca pens, a skateboard with acrylics, and a few acrylics on canvas pieces as well.

I had never imagined my artwork would be shared with the public but I am beyond grateful for the supportive community that inspires and encourages one another bound together by their love of artful expression.

If you would like to purchase any of her artwork check out artpal.com

 

Spiders, Webs and Warning Signs – Okinawa, Japan

In the last few months, I have been searching for spiders with unique web designs. The stabilimentum serves a different function for different species of spiders. The Oval St. Andrew’s Cross Spider is a master at designing its web with an obvious warning sign. Researchers believe the X-like stabilimentum serves as a warning to prevent birds from destroying the web. 

Theories why orb-weavers have specialized web decorations 

  • Stabilize the web
  • Make the spider look much larger
  • Disguise itself / Camouflage
  • lure prey in (ultraviolet light)
  • Serve as a warning sign for large birds
  • An attractive piece of art/lure in a mate
Argiope aemula

Argiope aemula -X-factor

Octonoba yaeyamensis has a very unique stabilimentum. The pattern reminds me of the mysterious design the Amami pufferfish constructs to lure in the female.

What purpose does this design serve?

  • Hide under the web /disguise itself
  • Beautiful design to lure in a mate or insects
  • Deterrent- scare off larger animals to prevent web damage
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Octonoba yaeyamensis

When I first found this spider it was hiding under the stabilimentum. It serves as camouflage and protection from ultraviolet light (sunblock strand). I found it in the open sunlight on a branching leaf.

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Octonoba yaeyamensis

Another strange design possibly used to attract a mate or hypnotize insects.

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Cyclosa ginnaga (female)

Eriophora yanbaruensis has a simple design, possibly used to attract a mate.

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Eriophora yanbaruensis

Gleaming light created this beautiful spider web prism.

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Spider web prism

I have always wondered if spiders are unknown musicians. Their web has to produce some type of sound frequency. The tension of the web gently plucked by the spider or just blowing in the wind.

Do spiders use attractive frequencies to lure in insects or mates?

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Spider web prism

The next step is to photograph the x-shaped stabilimentum under ultraviolet light. stay tuned to see my results.

 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

 

Fish Populations Decline At Maeda Point – Not A Good Sign!

I originally got SCUBA certified at Maeda Misaki in 1992. I have seen this popular snorkeling location drastically change over the years with the increase in tourism. Meada point is now a high traffic area, literally thousands of people enter the water on a given weekend.
Maeda misaki diving

Maeda misaki diving

If you have ever been to maeda point you have seen the beautiful schools of Teira batfish (Platax teira). In the late 90’s there were massive schools of hundreds of these beautiful fish. Below is an old photograph I found in my photo album. This was a common site back in the 90’s.
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Teira batfish at Maeda misaki

In 2017, I noticed that populations started declining.
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Schools of batfish

2018-2019, I started seeing numbers decline to less than twenty individuals. July 2019, I went to the same location on three different days and didn’t see any batfish.
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Wide angle macro

These fish are a huge tourist attraction. What could have caused the decline of the batfish populations? Possible reasons for decline:
  • Feeding the batfish man-made products
  • Noise pollution from an increase in boat traffic
  • Moved on to a safer location
  • Overfishing
  • Contaminates entering the water – sunblock, shampoo, perfume and urine
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Fu (wheat gluten)

In the past, guides would feed the fish sausage and bread. In recent years many local companies switched over to Fu (wheat gluten). It’s much cheeper than fish sausage.  Kilos of Fu enter the water for fish consumption on a given week at Maeda point. Could this gluten based product be good for the fish? Why you should not feed wild animals:
  • Interfere’s with their natural diet and feeding cycle
  • Makes the fish more vulnarable to predators
  • Reef algae overgrowth due to the fish being full
  • Increase’s your chance of getting bitten
Sometimes, I see plastic bags filled will remnants of fish food floating on the surface of the water. With the increase in tourism, I am finding more trash left behind at Maeda Point. This is a photograph I took recently at Maeda point. A collector urchin (Tripneustes gratilla) is covering up with discarded sausage wrapper.  
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collector urchin

This is one of my favorite photographs taken at Maeda Point.
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Beautiful bat-fish

Hopefully the teira batfish populations are not a blur left behind.
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Fading away

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

If you would like to help me make a difference Please check out my Patreon Site 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