Coral Conservation Art Show & Fundraiser 2018 – Okinawa, Japan

Posted on September 26, 2018 by Admin11

coral conservation fundraiser

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.

Mpix metal prints for fundraiser

Coral conservation fundraiser prints

The event was a huge success. Thank you all for your support. Here are a few photographs of the event.

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Corals Art Show & Fundraiser

Corals Art Show & Fundraiser @OBC

Corals Art Show & Fundraiser @OBC

Corals Art Show & Fundraiser @OBC

Corals Art Show & Fundraiser @OBC

Corals Art Show & Fundraiser @OBC

Corals Art Show & Fundraiser @OBC

The science and education table for the adults and children by Maggi Mars.

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Corals Art Show & Fundraiser @OBC

Corals Art Show & Fundraiser @OBC

Live music by CJ & Friends. Thank you!

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The band – CJ & Friends

A big thanks to all the artists and contributors. Mirijam Nerve, Sylvia Beauchain, and Julia Janicki did a great job organizing the art show and fundraiser. Have a great day!

Patterns, textures and colors ! Underwater Macro Photography by Shawn Miller

Posted on October 19, 2017 by Admin11

Okinawa offers some of the best Scuba-Diving in the world. I really enjoy the Art of Underwater Macro Photography. Macro subjects can always be found, it just takes some imagination and good framing to create beautiful underwater abstracts. Pattern’s, textures and vibrant colors generally stand out in underwater photography.

Equipment used

Camera: Canon 70d with Canon 100mm&60mm
Housing: Ikelite underwater housing
Stobes: Ikelite DS160 & DS 200
Modeling lights: Light&Motion Gobe 800, Sola 3800 and Sola 1200
Specialized lights: Light&Motion Sola Nightsea

All images were taken in the beautiful waters of the Ryukyu Islands. Underwater Photography by Shawn Miller.

Cushion starfish (Culcita novaeguineae) 100mm

Cushion starfish (Culcita novaeguineae) © Shawn Miller

Coral (Favia sp)

Coral (Favia sp) © Shawn Miller

Deep water coral (Tubastrea micrantha)

Deep water coral (Tubastrea micrantha) © Shawn Miller

Pedum spondyloidum- coral scallop

Pedum spondyloidum- coral scallop © Shawn Miller

Feather star

Feather star © Shawn Miller

Stichopus variegatus sea cucumber- 100mm

(Stichopus variegatus) sea cucumber © Shawn Miller

Sea fan (Annella mollis )

Sea fan (Annella mollis ) © Shawn Miller

Favia sp coral closeup

Favia sp coral closeup © Shawn Miller

Feather duster worm (Sabellastarte sanctijosephi)

Feather duster worm (Sabellastarte sanctijosephi) © Shawn Miller

granulated sea star (Choriaster granulatus)

granulated sea star (Choriaster granulatus) © Shawn Miller

Crocea clam (Tridacna Crocea)

Crocea clam (Tridacna Crocea) © Shawn Miller

(Pachyseris speciosa) Ringed plate coral

(Pachyseris speciosa) Ringed plate coral © Shawn Miller

Razor coral

Razor coral © Shawn Miller

striped triplefin (Helcogramma striata) on coral

Striped triplefin (Helcogramma striata) on coral © Shawn Miller

coral of okinawa

coral of okinawa © Shawn Miller

bubble coral (Plerogyra sinuosa

Bubble coral (Plerogyra sinuosa) © Shawn Miller

Dive safe and have a great day!

Exploring Iejima (Ie Island) Okinawa, Japan

Posted on June 22, 2016 by Admin11

Every year I take a trip to IeJima. Ie island is a thirty minute ferry ride from Motobu port. The small beautiful Island is famous for the Wajii lookout point, The Lilly festival and Mt Gusuku. The main crops are sugarcane, peanuts and tobacco. The island does have venomous snakes (Habu), so be careful when exploring at night.

The beautiful Wajii lookout point is my favorite viewpoint on the north side of the Island.

Wajii lookout point

Wajii lookout point

Ie Island offers some of the best diving in the world – Beautiful blues!

Wajii- on top of the world

Wajii- on top of the world

Conditions can change quickly at this location, check the weather forecast and sea conditions before diving.

Entry point to Wajii

Entry point to Wajii -GoPo hero 4

Every year photograph the large Porites coral formation. This year I used the GoPro Hero4.

Massive Porites lutea coral

Massive Porites lutea coral -GoPr0 hero 4

The top view massive Porites lutea coral.

Massive Porites lutea coral

Massive Porites coral – GoPro hero 4

Some of the most beautiful Acropora corals can be found in shallow water.

Coral closup

Coral -macro photography

The lily festival takes place every year in late April. If you like flowers this is the place to go.

Lily festival Ie Island

Lily festival -Ie Island

One of the best views is on top of Mt Gusuku. I was lucky to find a large stag beetle (Dorcus titanus okinawanus) in the parking lot two years in a row.

The Kuroiwas ground gecko ( Goniurosaurus kuroiwae orientalis) Is and endangered species found on the Island. Pay attention to crossing wildlife !

Kuroiwa's ground gecko

Kuroiwa’s ground gecko

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

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