Tag Archives: Make the switch for nature by Shawn Miller

MTS4N 391 – Trading plastic 4 shells by Shawn Miller

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Meet Jet Black, A blueberry hermit crab found adapting with a discarded plastic twist top cap.

The hermit crab was offered an assortment of shells. Jet Black made the switch into the donated seashell ” MTS4N 391 LIZA N MAGS OCEANBNB ”

I photographed the shy hermit crab in its new home, then released it back into the wild. Happy Crab – Happy Home!


I now keep all the twist-top caps that were used by hermit crabs. I currently have 107 caps that have been traded for shells ( #MTS4N Trading Plastic 4 Shells Collection )

As you can see our trash is a serious problem on our shorelines. Some organizations are doing great things making a difference but it’s not enough, We must all work together worldwide and attack this problem. We all have the ability to make a difference by reducing the amount of single-use items we use daily. Change can be difficult but I challenge you to make the switch 4 nature.

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Thank you Steven David Johnson for your support, Check out his stunning conservation photography.

Listen to podcast 753 Interview, discussing the hermit crab conservation project. Martin Bailey Photography

Would you like to give back to nature? Consider making a contribution to support my mission in Hermit Crab Conservation MakeTheSwitch4Nature

Do you have any seashells collecting dust at home? if so, consider donating them to the #MTS4N Project

Please consider making a small donation to support my mission

Have an awesome day! Shawn Miller

World Oceans Day 2019 – Okinawa, Japan

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June 8th 2019, is designated as Wold Oceans Day. It’s a day encouraging worldwide awareness and action to protect our environment. We can all do a better job making a difference, our lives depend on it.

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I have traveled to many of the outer Islands in the Ryukyu Island chain. Every Island has an abundance of marine debris washed ashore from Japan, China and Korea.  Below are some of the documentation photographs taken on Iheya Island.

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This post is not to make people sad, guilty or lose hope, It is to bring awareness to the ongoing trash problem in our oceans and on our shorelines.
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Learn more about making a difference, TEDx talk | Adapting to or Changing Environment by Shawn M Miller

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.

 

Amami Woodcock- The Birds of The Ryukyu Islands

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The Amami woodcock (Scolopax mira) is considered a prefectural bird of Amami Island. They are a rare species mainly found on Amami and Tokuno islands. These ground dwelling birds are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN red list of threatened species.

  • Scientific name:  Scolopax mira
  • Distribution:  Amami, Tokuno and Northern Okinawa
  • Habitat: leaf littered forests
  • Diet:  Beetles, crickets, moths, spiders, and worms
  • Average Size:  34cm – 36mm
  • Threats: Habitat loss and the introduced mongoose.

© Shawn Miller

Amami woodcock (Scolopax mira) © Shawn Miller

The Amami woodcock is a master of camouflage. It crouches down low and limits its movements in the leaf litter.  When predators approach the woodcock will fly away in most cases.

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Amami woodcock (Scolopax mira) © Shawn Miller

In this case the female has chicks that she has to protect.

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Amami woodcock (Scolopax mira) © Shawn Miller

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Amami woodcock (Scolopax mira) © Shawn Miller

We managed to see one sub-adult, it quickly followed its mothers lead and fled the scene.

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Amami woodcock (Scolopax mira) © Shawn Miller

The mongoose is the biggest threat to the wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands. It was introduced to the Ryukyu Islands in the1900’s In order to reduce the venomous habu populations. All the islands are still battling this never ending problem.

Mongoose ( Hepestes javanicus )

Mongoose ( Hepestes javanicus ) © Shawn Miller

All the photographs of the Amami woodcock were taken from the car through the back seat window.  In the beginning, I had difficulty with the cameras auto-focus system. I adapted by mounting a Light&Motion GoBe light with a 500 search head to my tripod collar. This allowed the auto-focus system to be extremely responsive using the Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM.

Amami rabbit camera setup

Amami night adventures  setup  © 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.

Learn more about the Light&Motion GoBe Exploration light   https://www.lightandmotion.com/choose-your-light/gobe 

  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.

Get Fa-Millerized with the Nature of the Ryukyu Islands  – – – –  SUBSCRIBE BELOW

Earth Day 2019 Okinawa

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Happy Earth Day 2019,

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This post is not to make people sad, guilty or lose hope, It is to bring awareness to the ongoing trash problem in our oceans and on our shorelines.

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As you can see our trash is a serious problem on our shorelines. Some organizations are doing great things making a difference but its not enough, We must all work together worldwide to attack this problem.

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We all have the ability to make a difference by reducing the amount of single-use items we use daily. Change can be difficult but I challenge you to Make The Switch for Nature 

Three items that can make a huge impact are:

  1. Reusable thermos instead of single use
  2. Reusable bag instead of a plastic bag
  3. Metal utensils instead of single use plastic

IMG_3363I also recommend volunteering in a community beach cleanup at least once a year. Its important to see the amount of trash for yourself!

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Hopefully this post will inspire you to make a positive change.

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Learn more about making a difference, TEDx talk | Adapting to or Changing Environment by Shawn M Miller

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 below.

paypal.me/maketheswitch4nature

Your donations will help worldwide conservation initiatives as well as bringing solutions to the worldwide pollution issues on our beautiful shorelines.  Thank you for your support. Shawn M Miller.

Get Fa-Millerized with the Nature of the Ryukyu Islands  – – – –  SUBSCRIBE BELOW

The Power of the Sunflower by Shawn Miller

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Have you ever seen an unhappy person at a Sunflower festival?

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Sunflower Festival, Kitanakagusuku Village

The Sunflower is a powerful plant that brings joy and happiness to all. Flowers are a source of Nature Therapy, sometimes just looking at them relieves stress and anxiety. Every year I visit these beautiful fields on Okinawa with friends and family. I strive to create a unique piece of art with my camera. Please enjoy some of my favorite photographs composed over the years.

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Himawari Matsuri

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Sunflower fluorescence photography

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Ryukyu Sunflower Art

I have also photographed corals that resemble sunflowers. One of the most beautify animals underwater is sunflower coral (Tubastraea cocinea). It is generally found in shallow water under reef ledges at most dive locations on Okinawa. 

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sunflower coral simplicity

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Composed flower coral

Hopefully this post will brighten up your day!

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Brighten up your day!

Have a wonderful day!

If you didn’t have the chance to view the Cherry Blossom Festival last year,  check this out! https://okinawanaturephotography.com/cherry-blossoms-of-okinawa-by-shawn-miller/

Get Fa-Millerized with the Nature of the Ryukyu Islands  – – – –  SUBSCRIBE BELOW

 

Make The Switch For Nature By Shawn Miller

Featured

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“Crabs with beach trash homes” was featured in one of the most influential issues of National Geographic Magazine of all time. June 2018 National Geographic launched Planet or Plastic. This powerful issue focuses on bringing awareness to the worldwide plastic pollution problem and efforts to reduce the single-use plastic waste.

Planet or Plastic June 2018 featured

Planet or Plastic June 2018 featured © Shawn Miller

June 2018, National Geographic replaced the plastic cover with a paper cover ( PEFC-Certified Paper ) that can be recycled.  This is a huge step in reducing the big problem of single-use plastic pollution in our oceans one small step at a time. The Editors did an outstanding job on this powerful ocean impact issue of National Geographic.

 Below left is the new paper cover and on the right is the previous plastic cover 

National Geographic Paper wrap

National Geographic Paper wrap © Shawn Miller

What a powerful National Geographic cover by Artist Jorge Gambo. The cover is a plastic bag resembling and Iceberg. This is one of the best covers of all time in my opinion. I was fortunate to get my hands on a Japanese issue as well.

Planet Or Plastic Cover

Planet Or Plastic Cover

Excited and honored to have one of my photographs from Okinawa featured in the National Geographic Planet or Plastic Exhibition at the Church of Santa Maria della Vita in Bologna, Italy.  Exhibition Date: 04/15/2019 – 09/22/2019

Photograph by Paolo Righi

Photograph by Paolo Righi

Photograph by Paolo Righi

Photograph by Paolo Righi

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Planet or Plastic Iconic Photographs

Learn more about reducing waste and making a difference.  TEDx OIST Talk  –  Adapting to Our Changing Environment by Shawn Miller

If you would like to see more of my work in National Geographic Magazine, below are four powerful issues that featured the Endangered Species of Okinawa. (WILDLIFE AS CANON SEES IT)

Anderson’s crocodile newt by Shawn Miller. 11/2020 National Geographic

Miller featured 11-2021

Amami Oshima frog by Shawn Miller. 08/2019 National Geographic

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Kuroiwa’s Ground Gecko by Shawn Miller. 10/2017 National Geographic

Featured- Wildlife As Canon Sees. National Geographic October 2017

Okinawa woodpecker by Shawn Miller. 05/2015 National Geographic

Woodpecker featured Nat Geo May 2015

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.

Let’s Make The Switch 4 Nature before it’s too late 

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

Get Fa-Millerized with the Nature of the Ryukyu Islands  – – – –  SUBSCRIBE BELOW