December 2025 Newsletter

INTRODUCING COMOX, BRITISH COLUMBIA

Comox, British Columbia — where Kelly O’Malley begins his journey in Lethal Tattoos — is a small community in the Comox Valley roughly two hundred and thirty kilometres north of Victoria. The Valley, which extends from Fanny Bay in the south to Black Creek in the north is surrounded by mountains and millions of acres of wilderness to the north and west and by the Strait of Georgia to the east. Bear and cougar sightings in town are not frequent, but not uncommon either, and recently a cougar has been seen around the marina and in various neighbourhoods. Normally they pass through overnight, moving from one part of their territory to another, but lately one has been hanging around longer than usual. As Kelly mentions when he is hiking in Strathcona Park, we live in the wilderness and wild animals live here. We are in their territory.

COMOX MARINA

OTTERS ON THE DOCK

The marina during the day also attracts other interesting creatures, such as otters romping along the breakwater, seals giving birth on the docks, or curious whales swimming past or through the berth lanes. And of course there are always the bald eagles, blue herons, and kingfishers that will take advantage of a fish near the water surface. If you visit the marina for a stroll on a regular basis, chances are you’ll enjoy some of those encounters.

INTRODUCING TUCKER

HIDE AND SEEK

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to our small Quaker, named Tucker. He weighs ninety-eight grams and has a vocabulary of about fifty words, One of his favourite phrases is “want yums.”  Another is “you be quiet.” Here’s a picture of Tucker playing hide and seek. More on Tucker next month. 

HAPPY DECEMBER

QUESTIONS? THOUGHTS?

If you have questions regarding my stories, the Comox Valley, Vancouver Island, or any other subject you may be interested in, send me a note and I’ll do my best to either get back to you directly or incorporate it into my January newsletter, or both.

As the season and festivities ramp up towards Christmas Day, I would like to wish all of you a very safe and Merry Christmas, and all of the best for you and those you love and care for in 2026.

Ray St. Denis

-author, The Shakarri Series