Trading plastic for shells by Shawn Miller

Posted on September 29, 2020 by Admin11

How many times have you picked up an empty seashell and brought it home? Most people don’t realize that they are taking a potential mobile home. As hermit crabs grow larger they have to upgrade their mobile home. They are constantly searching for larger seashells. No shells, then the hermits will adapt with plastic twist tops, plugs, and even broken bottles. Over collecting seashells is a contributing factor.

” Trading Plastic for Shells ” Every hermit crab found adapting with trash receives a proper seashell home. They get a better home and I keep the plastic. So far I have a nice collection of plastic.

Shawn Miller - plastic collection — Trading plastic for shells collection

In 2020, Tony Choi ( hermit crab specialist ) recommended that I place empty seashells on the shorelines. He explained that Taiwan has the same issue with over-collecting. Tony sent me the first shell donation and after that more people starting making kind contributions. I engraved numbers on all the shells. Hopefully, this will prevent beachcombers and fishermen from taking the shells.

Carving with the Dremel tool by Shawn Miller

Below is a large land hermit crab ( Coenobita cavipes ) I found using a plastic PVC 90-degree elbow as a protective home. Yomitan Village, Okinawa.

How do I get the crabs to swap? I bring a bucket with an assortment of native shells with me on my beach hikes. The hermit crabs are placed in the bucket and make the switch on their own. They get a better home and I keep the plastic. #Maketheswitch4nature

The land hermit crab made the switch into a donated tapestry shell (Miller #23). Hermit crabs do not prefer plastic, they are just adapting to what is available.

If you would like to see video footage of the hermit crabs making the switch from plastic to seashell check out MakeTheSwitch4Nature

” Trading plastic for shells ” Before and after examples

Blue Thumbnail
Miller #45
Trumpet player
Miller #51
Jump rope
mts4n #29
Marshmallow
Miller #27

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. Hopefully, these images will inspire people to change.

My Mission: To Protect and Preserve the Wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands for Future Generations

If you would like to help me make a difference Please check out my Patreon Site https://www.patreon.com/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.

Mangrove Forests of Okinawa

Posted on March 22, 2020 by Admin11

Mangrove forests are one of the most threatened ecosystems on the planet. The beautiful forests support a huge diversity of species that humans depend on for survival.

Benefits of Mangrove forests 

Provide nursery areas for small fish
Provide coastal protection from storms
Clean toxins out of the fresh water
Reduce carbon dioxide

Coastal development, rising sea levels, and pollution are the mangrove’s biggest threat. The roots act as nets catching plastic bags, fishing ropes and other marine debris.

Over time the toxic plastic smothers the trees.

Mangrove roots protect small fish, crustaceans, and sea birds from predators.

My two favorite crustaceans of the mangrove mud plats are the Okinawa mud lobster (Thalassina anomala) and the Ryukyu soldier crab (Mictyris guinotae).

Mangroves trees can survive in freshwater and saltwater. They are a valuable ecosystem and must be protected.

Our waste is having a massive impact on the coastal forests of the Ryukyu Islands. This post is not to make people feel guilty or lose hope. It is to inspire people to change. Make The Switch 4 Nature!

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

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

Light-painting with the nightsea by Shawn Miller

Posted on February 2, 2017 by Admin11

Light painting is the artistic technique of moving a hand held-light source while taking a long exposure. The purpose is to illuminate the subject with constant lighting to create a powerful image. It takes a steady hand, patience, trial and error and imagination. Using a specialized blue light (nightsea) will allow you to capture fluorescence. The images will be enhanced with beautiful bright vibrant colors.

Most plants and animals fluoresce under blue light. Below are some of my favorite long-exposures photographed using the Nightsea and a Canon 70d. I also included some comparison photos under white light.

Beautiful cherry blossoms under blue light, Okinawa-Japan