The Fastest Fish Jaws on the Planet by Shawn Miller

Posted on November 23, 2018 by Admin11

The Sling-jaw wrasse is my favorite fish to observe underwater. The large wrasse is fairly common in the beautiful waters of Okinawa. It primarily swims using its pectoral fins, similar to the way a bird uses its wings. It can be seen at all of the popular snorkeling and diving locations on Okinawa.

Scientific name: Epibulus insidiator
Common Name: Sling-jaw wrasse
Distribution: Indo-Pacific
Habitat: Coral reefs
Diet: Small fish, crabs, and shrimp
Average Size: 29cm
Threats: Habitat loss and overfishing

The Sling-jaw wrasse looks very strange when viewed head-on. It has the ability to rotate its eyes 360 degrees.

The sling-jaw wrasse looks like a pretty average fish from its side but has a hidden ability. The Sling-jaw wrasse has the ability to protrude its jaw longer than any other fish in the ocean. Its jaw is used to extend its reach and suck in prey. The scientific term for this is known as jaw protusion. It uses suction feeding to catch small animals in tight cracks and crevices on the reef.

To increase its chances of catching prey the wrasse will team up with other fish and the octopus. It’s pretty amazing to watch this team hunting take place. The scientific term for this is known as nuclear hunting.

Sometimes a still photograph just can’t capture the behavior taking place. In order to really appreciate this animal behavior, it must be seen in the wild. Nuclear hunting at Maeda point.

Hundreds of fish washed ashore after Typhoon trami. This mature wrasse could not cope with the devastating power of Typhoon trami.

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.

If you would like to use any of my photographs, please contact me directly.

Have a great day!

The Protector of Zakimi Castle Ruins

Posted on November 18, 2018 by Admin11

The Japanese sparrowhawk (Accipiter gularis) is another fascinating predatory bird found throughout the Ryukyu Islands. They are an uncommon species found on Okinawa. I have observed these pigeon-sized predatory birds feeding on insects and small birds.

- Scientific name: Accipiter gularis

- Common Name: Japanese sparrowhawk

- Distribution: Ryukyu Islands

- Habitat: Forests, parks, and farm fields.

- Diet: Small birds and a variety of insects

- Average Size: 27cm

Threats: Deforestation and Jungle crows

They are found perching high on the Ryukyu pine trees (Pinus luchuensis).

The females have yellow eyes and the males have bright red beautiful eyes.

They are impressive ambush hunters and surprise their prey in mid-flight.

They pluck the feathers off their catch before bringing it back to the nest

They stay busy feeding their chicks in mid-summer. When songbirds are scarce they feed on cicada and other large insects.

The chicks have darker banding bars on their chest. When its time they will leave the nest in search of their own hunting ground.

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 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.

Fly like a gray-faced buzzard eagle by Shawn Miller

Posted on November 14, 2018 by Admin11

The Gray-faced buzzard (Butastur indicus) is one of the most fascinating predatory birds of the Ryukyu Islands. They are a common species that migrate to Okinawa in the first week of October. I have observed these mid-sized predatory birds feeding on small insects, rodents and lizards.

Scientific name: (Butastur indicus)
Common Name: Gray-faced buzzard hawk or eagle
Distribution: Winters in Okinawa
Habitat: Forests, parks, farm fields, and local neighbors
Diet: Lizards, grasshoppers and a variety of insects
Average Size: 50cm

They are mainly found perching high in trees. Notice how well they blend into the surrounding environment.

They are also found perching high on electrical poles, wires, and rooftops.

Look close and you can see the nictitating membrane, its used to protect and moisten the eye.
I recommend using a telephoto lens to photograph these shy birds. They have a tendency to fly away as soon as you point the camera lens at them.

In recent years I have noticed an increase in the population of these beautiful migratory birds.

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

Hundreds of fish washed up on the roads of Nagahama, Okinawa

Posted on November 13, 2018 by Admin11

In 2014 Typhoon Neoguri brought in heavy winds and lots of rain. I have experienced many typhoons since 1989 but nothing like this. Typhoon Neoguri was the worse flooding I have ever seen. These photographs are from 2014, better late than never.

The rain was overwhelming and caused extreme flooding. The Nagaham dam overflow reservoir could not keep up with the amount of rain.

The massive amount of water caused hundreds of tilapia and mullet to wash ashore on the local farm roads.

Tilapia are a non-native fish. They were brought here as a food source in the mid-1900s. They have taken over most freshwater sources and compete with native aquatic animals on Okinawa.

With all the rainwater the coastline turned a bright orange. Red soil runoff contributes to coral reef bleaching and fertilizers entering the water from local farming fields.

Have a great day!

Moai Statue Found Underwater, Okinawa-Japan

Posted on November 8, 2018 by Admin11

A friend and I stumbled upon a Moai statue underwater. The statue had a good amount of surface growth on it as if it been underwater for a long time. Is It possible Typhoon Trami uncovered this statue? or did someone place it there on purpose for an underwater treasure hunt? Typhoon Trami was devastating and destroyed the coral and killed a good amount of marine life.

Moai statue- Ryukyu Islands

Regardless if the underwater statue is authentic or not, I was excited when I found it. I have never seen anything like this underwater. I got the same feeling when I went to Yonaguni to see the underwater monument.

Moai replica statue size: Two feet in length
Dive spot: Kadena north steps
Location: Okinawa, Japan.
Depth: Forty-five feet

Moai statue- Ryukyu Islands

Recent update: The mystery has been solved. It was purposely placed there by a dive instructor for a treasure hunt! The statue is not authentic but still a cool find.

I was not well prepared to photograph a subject of this size. The plan was to photograph tiny nudibranchs and gastropods. I had my underwater rig setup with a designated 60mm macro lens.

Underwater Equipment used:

Nikon D500 +Nikon AF-S 60mm macro lens
Nauticam Na-D500
Light & Motion Sola 3800
Sea & Sea YS-D2 strobes

Please do not use any images without my permission. Know your nature with Shawn Miller, have a great day!

Searching for the Ryukyu Sea Dragon by Shawn Miller

Posted on November 1, 2018 by Admin11

I have always been fascinated by the beauty of seahorses. I have seen five species of seahorses in the beautiful waters of Okinawa. They are scarce and difficult to find. They have the ability to change color to blend into their surrounding environment. They are often found resting with their prehensile tails wrapped on something sturdy.

The Pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus bargibanti) Is the most beautiful seahorse. They live on red or orange gorgonians making them camouflage and difficult to find. They even have tubercles that resemble the polyps of the coral they live on. They are found in deep water (80-150feet).

The Pontoh’s Pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus pontohi) was recently described in 2008. They live on calcareous algae and hydroids making them camouflage and difficult to find. They have fiber-like strands that resemble the algae they live on. They are found in shallow water (20-60feet).

Denise’s pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus denise) Is another beautiful seahorse. They live on orange gorgonians making them camouflage and difficult to find. They even have tubercles that resemble the polyps of the coral they live on. They are found in deep water (100-150feet).

Another beautiful pygmy seahorse. Could it be a juvenile Hippocampus pontohi, or H colemani or H servensi.

The thorny seahorse (Hippocampus histrix) Is very rare in the waters of Okinawa. This is the only specimen I have found. It was washed up on a local beach during Typhoon trami. They live on gorgonians in deep water. Hopefully, someday I will photograph a live specimen

The Great seahorse (Hippocampus kelloggi) Is the most common seahorse found here. They live on sea-grass and algae in sandy areas. They are found in very shallow water (2-40feet).

The Ryukyu sea dragon (Kyonemichthys rumengani) is a species of pipefish native to Okinawa. It can be very difficult to find based on its size.

Seahorses are often taken from the sea, dried and sold for medicinal purposes. Their biggest threat is habitat loss and over-collecting. They hold a high-value for medicinal purposes and in the pet trade market. Populations have drastically decreased over the years, making them harder and harder to find. Let’s protect these beautiful seadragons.

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

Have a great day!

Okinawa Coral snake – Venomous snakes of the Ryukyu Islands by Shawn Miller

Posted on October 5, 2018 by Admin11

The Okinawa Coral snake (Simomicrurus japonicus boettgeri) is a venomous snake found throughout the Ryukyu Islands. They are difficult to find here on Okinawa and are usually found at night. More effort should be focused on conserving this exotic native snake. This beautiful snake has been overlooked and needs to be protected. It is currently listed near threatened on the IUCN red list of endangered species.

Scientific name: Simomicrurus japonicus boettgeri
Local name: Okinawa Coral snake
Distribution: Ryukyu Islands
Habitat: Forests
Diet: Small snakes and lizards
Average size: 30cm -60cm
Color: Black, orange with a yellow and black belly.

They blend in very well with leaves and broken sticks making them hard to find.

When threatened the coral snake will coil its tail. This defense mechanism confuses the predator.

These rare snakes are often found crossing the road at night and sadly I have seen more dead than alive.

The underside of the snake is quite beautiful as well.

The Hyan coral snake ( Sinomicrurus japonicus japonicus) is a subspecies we found on Amami Island. The stripes are less interrupted than the Okinawan coral snake.

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

Even the birds had nowhere to hide during Typhoon Trami

Posted on October 4, 2018 by Admin11

I have experienced many typhoons in the last twenty-five years. Typhoon Trami was by far the strongest storm of the year. Its normal to see marine life washed ashore but this was my first time finding shorebirds washed ashore.

The images might be disturbing to some of the viewers but this is how I naturally found the birds on local beaches. A variety of egrets, terns, snipes, pigeons, and herons could not cope with the harsh conditions.

An abundance of marine debris also washed up. A disgusting amount of single-use items like styrofoam, plastic bottle caps, water bottles, lighters, combs, razors, cigarette butts, and floats littered the shoreline.

Our trash is a serious problem on our shorelines. What are you doing to make a difference? Have a great day.

Marine life washed ashore during Typhoon Trami

Posted on October 4, 2018 by Admin11

Typhoon Trami was by far the strongest storm of the year. The typhoon brought heavy winds, rain, and extreme sea conditions. A huge amount of marine life could not cope with these harsh conditions.

An abundance of marine debris also washed up. A disgusting amount of styrofoam, plastic bottle caps, water bottles, lighters, combs, razors, and floats littered the shorelines.

Marine debris

Environmental impact

Styrofoam pollution

I have been living on Okinawa for over twenty-five years and this was the first time seeing a devastating amount of marine life washed ashore. The storm was so powerful that large clumps of stony coral broke off and washed ashore.

Marine life and plastic pollution

Marine fish and plastic pollution

Pufferfish washed ashore

Red Grouper

Plastic wrapping

Parrot fish washed up

Eel and Styrofoam

Dead fish

fish and flops

Wrasses and plastic

Hermit crab and plastic

Pufferfish washed ashore

Coral washed ashore

I also managed to find some unique animals washed ashore. Five red frogfish, twelve sea snakes, a spiny seahorse and five unknown orange fish (Ogilibia sp).

Frogfish washed ashore

Sea snake washed up

Spiky seahorse

Starfish of Okinawa

Undescribed orange fish (Ogilbia sp).

If you would like to use any of my images please contact me directly. Have a great day!

Coral Conservation Art Show & Fundraiser 2018 – Okinawa, Japan

Posted on September 26, 2018 by Admin11

Coral conservation fundraiser

For all that will be in Okinawa Sunday, October 28, 2018, visit the Corals Art Show & Fundraiser! This year is the International Year of the Reef, and that’s why the 3rd edition of Okinawa’s Art Show & Fundraiser (started by Julia Janicki) will be for CORALS!

Enjoy this great mix of art, artists and scientists, live music, nice beers, and a ‘touch table’ to play around with some real science. The auction of the art is until 5:30 PM, this is your chance to find some unique local artwork and donate to a good cause.

Flyer Design – Photos by Shawn Miller, Calligraphy and Illustration by Nicolas Baldwyn, Japanese Calligraphy by Tetsuhiro Hokama, Design by Mirijam Neve.

The Purpose – To educate others about these amazing creatures and the major threats they are facing. To donate some of the profits from the art pieces to conservation organizations (Conservation International to support their CTI)

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.

I will be offering five high-quality underwater fluorescence photographs printed on metal for the fundraiser. A percentage of the sales will be donated to coral conservation awareness.