Fred Pollock

Cinnabar Valley. It is as exotic and fabulous as

the name suggests. A rich, deep gawge of rainforest, it stretches from the Strait of Georgia to the crystal clear waters of the Nanaimo River. Endless creeks flow down from the mountains, emptying into Richards Lake - a shining gem in the center of the valley. The ocean too is close by – it is mere minutes to the estuary. At some points you can catch a glimpse the ocean with its backdrop of glacier covered mountains.  You can hear the Duke Point Ferry blow it's horn.

There is a crazy mix of domestic and wildlife. Mink fish for koi in neighbourhood ponds. Chickens cross the roads (No, I don't know why!), llamas bay at the dogs, and horses neigh at the partridge. Nocturnal raccoons visit creeks under night's cover. And the birds! Quacking ducks compete with Trumpeter swans for lake real estate. Flickers bounce between trees, whip-poor-wills chant . . . well enchanting songs. Large horned owls hoot into the night sky, while small brown bats scout the streets. And Stellar Jays? They cackle manically at them all.