Ralph Mills PhD
@ralphmills.bsky.social
Historical archaeologist, oboe and tenor saxophone player, photographer, runner (slow), 35 years vegan, gardener. Researches nineteenth century miniatures, working class mantelpieces, figurinai, and old railway wagons. Four cats. Saanich, BC 🇨🇦
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Ralph Mills PhD
@ralphmills.bsky.social
· Nov 23
My research (www.ralphmills.ca/ralph_mills_...) focuses on ornaments, especially figurines, that nineteenth century working people displayed on their mantelpieces, and what we might learn from them about their owners.
Changed/improved the scenery a little up in Mill Hill Regional Park this morning by removing invasive Scotch Broom, plus a twig of the day! #fungifriends #Saanich #habitatrestoration
November 21, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Changed/improved the scenery a little up in Mill Hill Regional Park this morning by removing invasive Scotch Broom, plus a twig of the day! #fungifriends #Saanich #habitatrestoration
A long time ago I attended Enfield Primary School, in Adelaide, South Australia. I'm in the centre of the back row of this 1960 photograph of my class, all of whom are in the latter half of their 70s now, but who in those days had dreams to look forward to. #south_australia #enfield
November 20, 2025 at 4:21 AM
A long time ago I attended Enfield Primary School, in Adelaide, South Australia. I'm in the centre of the back row of this 1960 photograph of my class, all of whom are in the latter half of their 70s now, but who in those days had dreams to look forward to. #south_australia #enfield
In the gloom of the forests beside Lake Cowichan it was pouring with rain. On a group fungus foray you can't linger too long over photos otherwise you get left behind! And of course I make trouble for myself by wanting to capture the smallest fungi using my iPhone! #fungifriends
November 4, 2025 at 11:59 PM
In the gloom of the forests beside Lake Cowichan it was pouring with rain. On a group fungus foray you can't linger too long over photos otherwise you get left behind! And of course I make trouble for myself by wanting to capture the smallest fungi using my iPhone! #fungifriends
Working on my photos from the fungus foray the other weekend. The heavy rain and lack of light meant that my results are even more amateurish than usual. But in the meantime, I found these just down the garden... #fungifriends
November 4, 2025 at 1:21 AM
Working on my photos from the fungus foray the other weekend. The heavy rain and lack of light meant that my results are even more amateurish than usual. But in the meantime, I found these just down the garden... #fungifriends
It’s black cat day. There are three in this photo.
October 27, 2025 at 11:47 PM
It’s black cat day. There are three in this photo.
Cowichan Lake Fungus Foray day 2. The specimens on display. 165 species identified. Quite the haul. I haven’t had time to look at my photos yet but will post one or two soon…#FungusFriends
October 26, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Cowichan Lake Fungus Foray day 2. The specimens on display. 165 species identified. Quite the haul. I haven’t had time to look at my photos yet but will post one or two soon…#FungusFriends
Evening 1 of the Cowichan Fungus Foray. We wandered in the dark damp forest shining our UV flashlights at various unsuspecting fungi and lichens. Being an archaeologist rather than a mycologist I oohed and aahed and then found some plastic beads (21st century) that fluoresced nicely! #fungifriends
October 25, 2025 at 3:38 AM
Evening 1 of the Cowichan Fungus Foray. We wandered in the dark damp forest shining our UV flashlights at various unsuspecting fungi and lichens. Being an archaeologist rather than a mycologist I oohed and aahed and then found some plastic beads (21st century) that fluoresced nicely! #fungifriends
Went for a stroll around Osoyoos this afternoon, in the breezy #Okanagan valley, looking across the lake to Nk'mip Desert, the so-called "Pocket Desert" (i.e. all that is left), home to, amongst other rare plants and animals, Burrowing Owls and Pallid Bats (a splendid name).
October 13, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Went for a stroll around Osoyoos this afternoon, in the breezy #Okanagan valley, looking across the lake to Nk'mip Desert, the so-called "Pocket Desert" (i.e. all that is left), home to, amongst other rare plants and animals, Burrowing Owls and Pallid Bats (a splendid name).
Jerusalem artichoke showing off in my vegetable patch this afternoon. It’s about 3 m tall!
October 11, 2025 at 4:13 AM
Jerusalem artichoke showing off in my vegetable patch this afternoon. It’s about 3 m tall!
“Farewell to Spring” (Clarkia amoena) a little confused in a corner of my garden today, bidding farewell to late summer!
October 11, 2025 at 4:09 AM
“Farewell to Spring” (Clarkia amoena) a little confused in a corner of my garden today, bidding farewell to late summer!
This is my revenge for being called “carrot top” (amongst other pejorative terms) when a child (I had red hair in those far-off days when I had hair!). #gardening
October 8, 2025 at 9:08 PM
This is my revenge for being called “carrot top” (amongst other pejorative terms) when a child (I had red hair in those far-off days when I had hair!). #gardening
Fungus foray this morning. Not many specimens as it’s been so dry. But found some of my little favourites!
October 3, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Fungus foray this morning. Not many specimens as it’s been so dry. But found some of my little favourites!
Reposted by Ralph Mills PhD
RIP Jane Goodall. I feel like it's shortchanging her legacy to focus only on her work with chimpanzees when her compassion extended to ALL animals. One of the best ways you can honor & continue her legacy is to incorporate more plant based meals into your life. ❤️ news.janegoodall.org/2017/04/28/w...
Why I Went Plant-Based (And Why We Should All Eat Less Meat)
Dr. Goodall went plant-based after confronting what that meat represents: pain. Since, she learned more reasons why the work to #eatmeatless is important.
news.janegoodall.org
October 1, 2025 at 11:00 PM
RIP Jane Goodall. I feel like it's shortchanging her legacy to focus only on her work with chimpanzees when her compassion extended to ALL animals. One of the best ways you can honor & continue her legacy is to incorporate more plant based meals into your life. ❤️ news.janegoodall.org/2017/04/28/w...
I wonder how many of those who are celebrating the life of Jane Goodall today were also inspired by her veganism. She professed that it is paradoxical and unethical to declare a love for animals while abusing, killing and eating them. It is also unsustainable and environmentally disastrous.
October 1, 2025 at 9:55 PM
I wonder how many of those who are celebrating the life of Jane Goodall today were also inspired by her veganism. She professed that it is paradoxical and unethical to declare a love for animals while abusing, killing and eating them. It is also unsustainable and environmentally disastrous.
For the first time in several years I remembered to buy a birthday card for my sister in time to mail it to her in the UK. I had written in it and addressed the envelope when the Canadian postal workers went on strike. Will she believe my excuse this time?
September 27, 2025 at 4:09 AM
For the first time in several years I remembered to buy a birthday card for my sister in time to mail it to her in the UK. I had written in it and addressed the envelope when the Canadian postal workers went on strike. Will she believe my excuse this time?
My monster! #gardening Never managed to grow a carrot this hefty before.
September 16, 2025 at 10:31 PM
My monster! #gardening Never managed to grow a carrot this hefty before.
Obligatory vacation sunset pic…
September 11, 2025 at 5:12 AM
Obligatory vacation sunset pic…
Last stayed at the Alders Beach Resort on Vancouver Island some 30 years ago. The chalet is still here. Looks like the same chair is still here also! And some of the same paintwork…
September 10, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Last stayed at the Alders Beach Resort on Vancouver Island some 30 years ago. The chalet is still here. Looks like the same chair is still here also! And some of the same paintwork…
The view for the next few days!
September 10, 2025 at 2:02 AM
The view for the next few days!
September 7, 2025 at 12:04 AM
I’ve spent the morning in the garden. At some point I accidentally switched on All Trails and it recorded my route. I managed to cover some 0.5 km in 15 minutes. Worryingly it also shows me apparently hopping over the fence into next doors’ garden and breaking into their house! #gardening #exercise
September 4, 2025 at 6:49 PM
I’ve spent the morning in the garden. At some point I accidentally switched on All Trails and it recorded my route. I managed to cover some 0.5 km in 15 minutes. Worryingly it also shows me apparently hopping over the fence into next doors’ garden and breaking into their house! #gardening #exercise
A sea lion expresses what it feels about my presence in a small boat, bobbing up and down off the south east coast of Vancouver Island yesterday. It didn't seem impressed! #vancouverisland #racerocks
September 1, 2025 at 7:32 PM
A sea lion expresses what it feels about my presence in a small boat, bobbing up and down off the south east coast of Vancouver Island yesterday. It didn't seem impressed! #vancouverisland #racerocks
Not being a birder, nor having super equipment, I'm rather proud of this photo, especially as it was moving fast and zig-zagging about! I think it's a sanderling. Mystic Beach, Vancouver Island.
August 29, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Not being a birder, nor having super equipment, I'm rather proud of this photo, especially as it was moving fast and zig-zagging about! I think it's a sanderling. Mystic Beach, Vancouver Island.
We played English horn (cor anglais) trios yesterday. What fun! It’s a great sound that should be heard more often. #double-reed-fun
August 28, 2025 at 6:37 PM
We played English horn (cor anglais) trios yesterday. What fun! It’s a great sound that should be heard more often. #double-reed-fun
At the end of another hot day, sitting in the quiet garden in my mosquito-proof shelter, sipping a whisky and watching the light sensitive lamps coming on, one by one. Sigh. #peace
August 27, 2025 at 3:24 AM
At the end of another hot day, sitting in the quiet garden in my mosquito-proof shelter, sipping a whisky and watching the light sensitive lamps coming on, one by one. Sigh. #peace