Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens – Birds Of Okinawa

The Canon Ef 400mm f/5.6 USM lens is a light weight high performance prime lens. The auto focus system is impressively fast without hesitation. It performs best when photographing birds in flight and animals on the move. This is a very sharp high quality lens and would recommend purchasing it if you are on a limited budget.

The Common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) is one of my favorite birds to photograph with the the Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens.

Common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)

Common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)

A beautiful Ryukyu hawk owl spotted during daylight.

The Ryukyu hawk owl

The Ryukyu hawk owl (Ninox scutulata)

The Black Faced Spoonbill (Platalea minor) is a common visitor in Southern Okinawa.
The Spoonbill is critically endangered and has an estimated population of less than 3000.

The Black Faced Spoonbill (Platalea minor).

The Black Faced Spoonbill (Platalea minor).

The Pryer’s woodpecker (Sapheopipo Noguchii) is the prefecture bird of Okinawa and designated as a natural treasure of Japan. It is a rare species only found in the northern part of Okinawa.

Pryer's woodpecker  (Sapheopipo Noguchii)  Yanbaru forest

Pryer’s woodpecker (Sapheopipo Noguchii) Yanbaru forest

A Wiskered tern (Childonias hybridus) shaking away – Kin, Okinawa.

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Wiskered tern (Childonias hybridus)

The Japanese wood pigeon is listed as near threatened on the IUCN red list of threatened species. A very difficult bird to photograph.

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Japanese wood pigeon

The Rudy kingfisher is a summer visitor. Another bird hard to photograph

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Rudy kingfisher (Halcyon coromanda)

 The Japanese white eye (Zosterops japonicus) is popular to photograph in January. The green and yellow feathers compliment the pink cherry tree blossoms.  

Mejiro - Japanese white eye, Okinawa

Mejiro – Japanese white eye

The Okinawa rail (Gallirallus okinawae) is a flightless bird only found in the northern part of Okinawa. It is a protected species and declared a living natural monument. 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.

Okinawa Rail

Okinawa Rail ( Gallirallus okinawae)

The Glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) is a rare visitor in Okinawa. Nature Photographers travel from Mainland Japan to photograph this beautiful bird.

Glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)

Glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)

The male Japanese sparrowhawk ( Accipiter gularis ) has stunning bright red eyes. This bird can pluck the feathers off a sparrow within minutes.

Male Japanese sparrowhawk   ( Accipiter gularis )

Male Japanese sparrowhawk ( Accipiter gularis )

The Common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) dive bombing a fish. This bird is a spectacular hunter.

Common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) dive bombing a fish

Common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) dive bombing a fish

Check out more Images of Birds of Okinawa-

All Images were photographed using the Canon 70d with the Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens.

Canon 70d with 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens

Canon 70d with 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens

Have a great day!

 

Marine Life Washed Ashore – Typhoon Vongfong

Super Typhoon Vongfong was considered to be to be the strongest storm of the year. We were very lucky the strength of the storm died down before it landed on the Island of Okinawa. The typhoon brought heavy winds and rough sea conditions. A fair amount of marine life could not cope with these harsh conditions.

Puffer fish and trash

A Common Pufferfish ( Diodon holocanthus) with beach trash © Shawn Miller

Blue starfish ,Onna beach-Okinawa

Blue starfish (Linckia laevigata) washed ashore © Shawn Miller

fish washed up with styrofoam

Carinalfish washed ashore with styrofoam in its mouth © Shawn Miller

Sea snake , Okinawa-Japan

Venomous Sea snake  (Emydocephalus ijimae) © Shawn Miller

Starfish washed up

Horned sea star ( Protoreaster nodusus ) washed ashore © Shawn Miller

sea hare

Large sea slug (Dolabella auricularia ) with internal shell © Shawn Miller

Sea cucumber

Sea cucumber ( Holothuria scabra ) washed ashore © Shawn Miller

Soft coral -Nago ,Bay

Soft coral  ( Lobophytum sp ) washed ashore © Shawn Miller

All images were taken on the western portion of the Island using the Canon 70d.

Have a great day!

 

Slow Down! – Let’s Protect The Okinawa Rail

The Okinawa rail 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

Distribution:  Northern Okinawa

Habitat: Forests

Diet:  Small insects, worms, snails and fruit. 

Average Size:  31cm 

Threats: Habitat loss and the threat of Jungle crows and mongoose.

okinawa rail

The Okinawan rail © Shawn Miller

The rail is often found feeding on the side of the road. It feeds on worms, snails, and insects.

Okinawa rail posing ( Hypotaenidia okinawae)

Okinawa rail posing ( Hypotaenidia okinawae) © Shawn Miller

When defending its territory, the rail will become aggressive and flare its wings.

Angry Bird- Okinawa rail

Angry Bird- Okinawa rail © Shawn Miller

If you are lucky you can catch the Okinawa rail feeding on the fruit of the cherry tree.

Okinawa rail feeding ( Hypotaenidia okinawae)

Okinawa rail feeding ( Hypotaenidia okinawae) © Shawn Miller

They roost high above the ground to avoid predators like the habu snake.

Okinawa rail roosting ( Hypotaenidia okinawae)

Okinawa rail roosting ( Hypotaenidia okinawae) © Shawn Miller

In 2014 I stumbled upon Scientists handling an adult Okinawa rail in the wild.

flightless birds of Japan

Okinawa rail © Shawn Miller

Awareness signs are posted along the main roads in northern Okinawa for their protection. I think they should also include speed bumps in the designated crossing areas for the rails.

Okinawa rail awareness signs are posted

Okinawa rail awareness signs © Shawn Miller

The speed limit is only 40km/h so watch your speed for the protection of the wildlife. The rails are often seen feeding on the side of the road.

40km/h speed sign

Posted speed limit is 40km/h © Shawn Miller

I have observed these birds crossing the road on many occasions. They have no problems crossing when people are driving the speed limit. Speeding decreases your reaction time,  slow down and pay attention to all crossing wildlife.

Okinawa rail crossing the road

Okinawa rail crossing the road© Shawn Miller

An Okinawa rail that was killed by a speeding motor vehicle on Route 2 in northern Okinawa.

okinawa rail - road kill

Okinawa rail – road kill © Shawn Miller

What to do if you find an injured rail.

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 

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.

Facing extinction – Ishikawa’s Frog (Odorrana ishikawae)

Ishikawa’s frog (Odorrana ishikawae) is the most beautiful frog found in Japan. It is only found in northern Okinawa and currently on the endangered species list. It is one of the many endemic species facing extinction due to habitat loss. Ishikawa’s frog is a designated living national treasure of Okinawa.

  • Scientific name: Odorrana ishikawae
  • Distribution:  Northern Okinawa-Japan
  • Habitat:  Forest streams 
  • Diet:  Insects, worms, and millipedes
  • Average Size:  90mm -120mm

This is my favorite frog on Okinawa. I have only seen about a dozen in the last three years.

shikawa's Frog (Odorrana ishikawae) Yanbaru forest ,Okinawa

Ishikawa’s Frog (Odorrana ishikawae)  Night dwelling in the Yanbaru forest © Shawn Miller

Ishikawa's Frog (Odorrana ishikawae)

Ishikawa’s Frog (Odorrana ishikawae) © Shawn Miller

They live around mountain streams in the Yanbaru forest. They hide in cracks and crevices in the rocks making it hard to photograph them at times.

Ishikawa's Frog (Odorrana ishikawae) Yanbaru forest ,Okinawa

Adult Ishikawa’s Frog (Odorrana ishikawae)   ” out of the den ” © Shawn Miller

They are also masters of camouflage. The unique pattern helps them blend into the moss and leaves on the riverside.

ishikawa's Frog (Odorrana ishikawae) Yanbaru forest ,Okinawa

Ishikawa’s Frog (Odorrana ishikawae)  © Shawn Miller

Ishikawa's frog

Juvenile Ishikawa’s frog © Shawn Miller

The Ishikawa’s frog was featured in Amphibian Love – an artbook for the frogs.  Artist Leah Jay created this book to show the beauty and fascinating variety of amphibians, and bring attention the the Amphibian Extinction Crisis.

IshikawasFrog_forWeb

If you are lucky you might find a blue Ishikawa’s frog. The blue morph is absolutely beautiful.

Blue Ishikawa's Frog (Odorrana ishikawae) © Shawn Miller

Blue Ishikawa’s Frog (Odorrana ishikawae) © Shawn Miller

Blue Ishikawa's Frog (Odorrana ishikawae) © Shawn Miller

Blue Ishikawa’s Frog (Odorrana ishikawae) © Shawn Miller

Blue Ishikawa's  Frog (Odorrana ishikawae)

Blue Ishikawa’s Frog (Odorrana ishikawae) © Shawn Miller

A large blue and green morph.

Ishikawa frog blue morph

Ishikawa frog blue morph © Shawn Miller

Ishikawa's frog searching for a meal

Ishikawa’s frog searching for a meal © Shawn Miller

A juvenile Ishikawa’s frog searching for food.  (Wide angle perspective)

herpetologists dream come true - the find

herpetologists dream come true © Shawn Miller

Sometimes they can be seen crossing the road!

Ishikawa's Frog

Ishikawa’s Frog – Stella 2000 © Shawn Miller

Top view- Ishikawa's frog

Top view- Ishikawa’s frog © Shawn Miller

Be careful and pay close attention to crossing wildlife.

Ishikawas frog - Roadkill

Ishikawa’s frog – Roadkill © Shawn Miller

Ishikawa's Frog

Ishikawa’s Frog -Wide angle macro photography © 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

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.