Tag Archives: Nature therapy with Shawn Miller

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

 

The lonely hermit crab adapting with a lug-nut cover by Shawn Miller

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This week I went out camping with some friends on Miyagi Island. While searching for fire wood I stumbled upon a blueberry hermit crab (Coenobita purpureus) adapting with a metal lug-nut cover. I have previously found many hermit crabs adapting with other man-made items such as pet bottle caps, glass bottles, light bulb ends, laundry detergent caps and various scoops. I was pretty excited about this and had to show off the interesting find to my friends.

IMG_2671The blueberry hermit crab is temporarily making due with the available lug-nut cover. It will eventually switch to a shell when it finds an appropriate size. If you would like to learn more about this adaptive behavior please check out my post on “Crabs with Beach trash homes”

* All Coenobita species on Okinawa are recognized as a living natural monument of Japan.

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I also photographed the hermit crab on white for the Meet Your Neighbours Project. The technique eliminates distracting elements out of the background and shows the true beauty of the animal. The images are used for conservation awareness and educational purposes.

IMG_6318Later I offered lug nut a Turbo seashell and within five minutes he switched over to his new home.

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Okinawa hermit crab

We were fortunate to have beautiful weather. Don’t forget to get out for some Nature Therapy! We all need a break from our busy lifestyles.

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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 below.

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.

 

Blue Streaks of Light by Shawn Miller

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The Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) is one of the most beautiful birds of the Ryukyu Islands. They are a common species found near freshwater sources. I have observed these tiny birds four hours at a time. I know a few local nature photographers that have dedicated their lives to documenting the behavior of this beautiful bird.

  • Scientific name: Alcedo atthis
  • Common Name: Common Kingfisher
  • Distribution:  Worldwide
  • Habitat: Forests near rivers and ponds
  • Diet:  Fish and prawn
  • Average Size:  16cm

IMG_8962The Common Kingfisher spends most of the day patiently waiting on tree branches above the water.

IMG_6511They watch from above and pick out the perfect sized fish.

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They dive bomb with very little warning. Below is the sequence of the catch.

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IMG_8652After the feast, the Kingfisher preens itself.
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Look close and you can see the process of the Kingfisher casting a pellet. They can’t digest the exoskeleton of prawn and fish scales. They regurgitate the waste in a pellet form.

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IMG_2176I challenge you to get outdoors for some Nature Therapy.
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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!

Fly like a gray-faced buzzard eagle by Shawn Miller

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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.

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

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Look close and you can see the nictitating membrane, its used to protect and moisten the eye.
16599684692_b410d078ac_bI 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.

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

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 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