Tag Archives: yeahiknowshawnmiller

Parasitic Isopods of the Ryukyu Islands

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Scorpionfish, lionfish and stonefish all belong to the family Scorpaenidae. They all are well camouflaged and highly venomous. Their defensive spines can deliver a painful sting. It’s best to wear exposure protection and maintain good bouncy control to avoid getting envenomated by these ambush predators.

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In the 1980’s Robert Bolland stumbled upon an interesting underwater find. He found a tiny undescribed isopod hitching a ride on a scorpionfish. 1984 the parasitic isopod Renocila bollandi from Okinawa was named after him.

Renocila bollandi from

Over the years I photographed a dozen of these orange Isopods (Renocilla bollandi)

I have always wondered,

  • What is the relationship between the two?
  • Is the relationship mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism?
  • Why does the isopod only prefer venomous fish (scorpionfish) as its host?
  • Why does the isopod always stay close to the eye?

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Scorpionfish Okinawa

Scorpaenopsis diabolus scorpionfish

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See why they call it the bearded scorpionfish (Scorpaenopsis cirrhosa).

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Learn more about the hazardous marine life of Okinawa.

Learn more about Robert Bolland and his research at The Okinawa Slug Site.

 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

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

Cowrie Shell Eating Octopuses of Okinawa

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In 2010, a friend sent me some beautiful cowrie shells from Hawaii. I noticed that a few specimens had tiny pin holes between the teeth on the underside of the cowrie shell.  I asked him what caused this and he stated an octopus. So I decided to test this, I collected a small octopus and placed it in aquarium with no other marine life in the tank. 5518026347_afbd22a0ed_b(1) I placed only live cowrie shells in the tank to see if this octopus would eat the mollusks.  I was completely surprised to find out that he was 100% correct. IMG_7293 IMG_7227The tiny drill holes are difficult to see without a magnifying glass. IMG_7232 Strangely, two of the cowrie shells had a drill hole on the top and another on the bottom side. The other eight specimens only had one drill hole on the bottom side. Is it possible that the octopus learned a new behavior?  Did it it figure out the most efficient way after the two previous attempts? FotoJetAll octopuses have a two-part beak used to immobilize and feed on their prey. The beak looks fragile but it one of the toughest and most durable substances made by marine animals.
Cephalopod Beak

Cephalopod Beak

My curiosity led me to the questions below Why does the octopus have to drill a hole when there is already a large aperture to feed from?  Does the octopus use venom to paralyze the mollusk inside the shell after it drills the hole? If so, does the venom narcotize the mollusk which could allow the octopus to suck out the animal from the shell aperture like a shotgunning effect? IMG_7296 Have you ever wondered how the Okinawans catch small octopuses?  Below is a colorful handmade lure made from cone shells and beads.  I found it years ago at Awase flats. IMG_7288 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 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

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

Parasitic slugs of Okinawa

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Gymnodoris nigricolor Is a tiny nudibranch that attaches to the fins of gobies. It is found in the winter months and then it seems to completely disappear when the water warms up. This nudibranch is by far the hardest to photograph because of its size and it stays attached to it’s host. When the goby feels threatened, it retreats into its burrow taking the tiny slug down the hole with it.

In order to photograph sand-dwelling gobies you will generally need a 50mm-100mm macro lens.

IMG_0512Be patience and move slowly. If your lucky the goby will accept your presence without retreating.

IMG_0540February 2018, I was fortunate to find Gymnodoris nigricolor crawling on the sand in search of a host

IMG_0412When the slug finds a host it will attach onto the closest fin.

IMG_0423Look close and you can see the buccal apparatus of the slug clamping down.

27429475356_4380fdabcb_bOnce its locked down, the goby cannot shake the slug off.

14474545362_6904d1dc25_b(1) No one really knows what happens next. Why does the nudibranch attach to the fins of its host？ Does this specialist feed on only the fins of gobies or is there another reason？

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If you would like see stunning photographs of more sea slugs check out my post on nudibranchs

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

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.

 

Custom Art Work by Shawn Miller

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Growing up I attended basic art classes in elementary and high school. I was never really good or excelled in art, mainly because I couldn’t draw very well. From what I remember the two classes that I attended mainly focused on drawing and painting.  I do remember spending many hours doodling on paper during class when I was bored.

In the mid-90s I became fascinated with shell art, guitars, and music. I first tried carving with a Dremel tool, this is when my daydream doodling finally paid off. I spent a total of eight to twelve hours carving these beautiful Turbo shells.

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10485163225_3b5291ec1b_b(1)Next, I decided to experiment with woodburning and inlaying mother of pearl into a guitar body. This was my first attempt at customizing a Fender Stratocaster guitar.  I had little guidance and improvised with what I had available.

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My second guitar inlay attempt was much better than the first.  I read Pearl Inlay by James Patterson and The Art of Inlay by Larry Robinson.  My custom inlay work is basic and simple in comparison to the amazing work they offer. It took me a year to finally complete this project.

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Growing up I never really had an interest in learning music. It wasn’t until 1995 that the interest sparked. My good friend Rob Marsh taught me the basic fundamentals of rhythm guitar. I remember playing repetitive rhythm progressions for hours. It was a great time and I met so many amazing people. We had many spontaneous jam sessions in our basement with local musicians. We eventually had a band named Ralph and the Machioes.  In 2003 we had a reunion jam ” The Return Of The Shellman.”

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In seventh-grade woodshop, I remember making my first clock out of pine wood. In 2000, I found a unique piece of wood in the scrap pile at the wood shop and decided to do something original.  I carved it using a basic Dremel tool and later customized it with some inlay work.
IMG_2544This once was a Miller lite clock. It was going to be thrown away in the trash. I kept the clock and customized it with beautiful shells and beach sand.
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Please check out my mentors work at Marshwood Guitars. Rob Marsh makes some of the best hand-crafted custom guitars.     https://marshwoodguitars.blogspot.com/

I challenge you to make some beautiful art and share it with the world, Have a great day.

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!

Deadliest Marine Fish of the Ryukyu Islands by Shawn Miller

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The reef stonefish is the most venomous fish found on Okinawa. The stonefish resembles an encrusted rock and sometimes has algae growing from its skin. The reef stonefish is an ambush predator and spends its day patiently waiting for a fish to pass by. The stonefish is not aggressive at all. It is extremely dangerous because it doesn’t show any flashy warning signs. The spines deliver an extremely painful sting with strong venom injected into the body.

Reef, rock, sponge or fish?

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Reef stonefish ( synanceia verrucosa ) Sunabe, Okinawa

If you spend any time exploring the ocean, I encourage you to look at these images and get familiar with these deadly facial features.

37059972063_6a80c038b1_oThe reef stonefish will also bury itself in the sand. Does that make it a sand stonefish?
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The false stonefish is much smaller and is usually found in shallow water. Its a master of concealing itself from visual detection.

43841230074_9a32ff9591_oThe false stonefish is more active than the reef stonefish. It generally gives predators a warning sign by displaying its brightly colored pectoral fins.

False stone fish

Most of the false stonefish and scorpionfish will fluoresce beautifully under blue light.
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 Ways to avoid injury

    • Be respectful and avoid harassing, touching and feeding marine life

 

    • Maintain good buoyancy control

 

  • Wear exposure protection- felt bottom booties

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!

The Protector of Zakimi Castle Ruins

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The Japanese sparrowhawk (Accipiter gularis) is another fascinating predatory bird found throughout the Ryukyu Islands. They are an uncommon species found on Okinawa. I have observed these pigeon-sized predatory birds feeding on insects and small birds.
    • Scientific name:  Accipiter gularis
    • Common Name: Japanese sparrowhawk
    • Distribution:  Ryukyu Islands
    • Habitat: Forests, parks, and farm fields. 
    • Diet:  Small birds and a variety of insects
    • Average Size:  27cm 
  • Threats: Deforestation and Jungle crows
They are found perching high on the Ryukyu pine trees (Pinus luchuensis). IMG_2474 (1) The females have yellow eyes and the males have bright red beautiful eyes. 0K2A4097 IMG_6604 They are impressive ambush hunters and surprise their prey in mid-flight. IMG_0544 (2)They pluck the feathers off their catch before bringing it back to the nest IMG_0476 They stay busy feeding their chicks in mid-summer. When songbirds are scarce they feed on cicada and other large insects. IMG_6534 - Copy The chicks have darker banding bars on their chest. When its time they will leave the nest in search of their own hunting ground. IMG_0581 - CopyPeople 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 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 bring solutions to the worldwide pollution issues on our beautiful shorelines.  Thank you for your support.  Shawn M Miller.

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

Hundreds of fish washed up on the roads of Nagahama, Okinawa

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In 2014 Typhoon Neoguri brought in heavy winds and lots of rain. I have experienced many typhoons since 1989 but nothing like this. Typhoon Neoguri was the worse flooding I have ever seen. These photographs are from 2014, better late than never.

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The rain was overwhelming and caused extreme flooding. The Nagaham dam overflow reservoir could not keep up with the amount of rain.

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The massive amount of water caused hundreds of tilapia and mullet to wash ashore on the local farm roads.

Tilapia are a non-native fish. They were brought here as a food source in the mid-1900s. They have taken over most freshwater sources and compete with native aquatic animals on Okinawa. 
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With all the rainwater the coastline turned a bright orange. Red soil runoff contributes to coral reef bleaching and fertilizers entering the water from local farming fields.

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Have a great day!