Ryukyu Brown Frog – Amphibians of Okinawa by Shawn Miller

Posted on December 17, 2017 by Admin11

The Ryukyu Brown frog (Rana ulma) is found throughout the Ryukyu Islands. It is listed as an endangered species on the IUCN list of threatened species. Some of the most beautiful frogs are found on Kume Island.

Scientific name: Rana ulma – Synonym Babina okinavana
Common name: Ryukyu Brown Frog
Distribution: Ryukyu Islands
Habitat: Forests, mountain slopes, drainage ditches, and farm fields.
Diet: Insects
Average size: 45mm-65mm
Color: brownThe Ryukyu Brown Frog is found in northern Okinawa. The Yanbaru forest is a wildlife protected area.

Wildlife protection area -Yanbaru forest © Shawn Miller

They blend in very well with the leaf litter, rocks, and the surrounding grass.

(Rana ulma) Ryukyu brown frog © Shawn Miller

Ryukyu Brown frog (Rana ulma) © Shawn Miller

Amami brown frog (Rana Kobai)

Rana kobi- Tokuno Island © Shawn Miller

Mating season is during the winter months.

Ryukyu Brown frog mating -Kume, Island © Shawn Miller

A wide-angle perspective of the small brown frog.

Rana ulma – Wide angle macro © Shawn Miller

Pay attention to crossing wildlife. Frogs are often found on the road searching for insects

Bright Orange Rana ulma © Shawn Miller

Rana ulma – crossing the road © 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.

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

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

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 -GoPo hero 4

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

Massive Porites lutea coral -GoPr0 hero 4

The top view massive Porites lutea coral.

Massive Porites coral – GoPro hero 4

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

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

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

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

Ryukyu tip-nosed frog (Odorrana narina) – Frogs of Okinawa

Posted on May 17, 2016 by Admin11

The Ryukyu tip-nosed frog ( Odorrana narina) is found in Northern Okinawa. This endemic frog is currently listed endangered on the IUCN red list. It’s biggest threat is habitat loss.

Scientific name: Odorrana narina
Common name: Ryukyu tip-nosed frog
Distribution: Yanbaru forest, Northern Okinawa
Habitat: Forest streams and mountain slopes
Diet: Insects, centipedes and small invertebrates
Average size: 50mm – 75mm

Ryukyu tip-nosed frog – Stella 2000

The Ryukyu tip-nosed frog is a medium sized frog. It hides in holes and crevices in the daytime.

Ryukyu tip-nosed frog – Tokina 10-17mm

Ryukyu tip-nosed frog

Odorrana narina – frogs of Okinawa

It feeds during the night on small insects and centipedes.

Ryukyu tip-nosed frog -wide angle macro, Stella 2000

It is sometimes found on roads searching for food after heavy rains.

Ryukyu Tip-nosed frog -Red list

Be careful and pay close attention to crossing wildlife.

Crossing wildlife- wide angle macro

Road kill- Ryukyu Tip-nosed frog

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.

Nature Therapy – Photo Exhibition by Shawn Miller

Posted on January 18, 2016 by Admin11

The Exhibition will be held at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) January 14th through February 29th. The free photo exhibition is open from 9:00 to 17:00 every day. The exhibition will feature forty inspiring images of underwater animals, crabs with beach trash homes and the endangered species of Okinawa. Photography By Shawn Miller. The wonderful people at OIST were kind enough to make this exhibition take place and produce beautiful advertisement posters.

Nature Therapy Poster 2016 – Shawn Miller

Some of my favorite images are featured below. I photographed the gallery with a fish eye lens to give it a unique perspective.

Blueberry hermit crab – Meet your neighbours project

Surgeon fish on the move – Motion

Crabs with trash homes – Meet your neighbours project

Kuroiwas ground gecko -Endangered

A Blenny playing Peek a Boo

Typhoon swirl – The art of motion

Ryukyu black breasted leaf turtle -endangered

Boxer crab – Marine life of Okinawa

Okinawa rail- endemic to northern Okinawa

Video by Gary Hughes. FrontPageOkinawa – Hughes Media Technologies

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More information about Shawn Miller and Nature Therapy – http://www.japanupdate.com/2016/01/oist-hosts-nature-photo-exhibition/

Light and Motion macro field setup – Constant lighting by Shawn Miller

Posted on March 30, 2015 by Admin11

Light and Motion lights produce constant lighting with studio quality output. This light configuration is convenient while shooting macro photography at night. The camera, tray, arms and lights are combined into one lightweight unit. The light output can be easily adjusted with a touch of a switch. Having the lights on loc-line arms allow simple light angle adjustments.

The custom Light and Motion macro field setup consists of

Sola Tray kit with extention tray and arms
Third custom loc-line arm mounted
GoBe 700 wide light
Sola 600 light
Sola 1200 light
Canon 70D with 60 mm macro lens and strap

Light and Motion macro field setup by Shawn M Miller.

I was fortunate to have beautiful weather both nights testing the constant lighting setup in northern Okinawa. Six of the animals below are endangered species listed as threatened on the IUCN red list. All of these night dwellers are decreasing in numbers due to deforestation.