Last weekend I was sitting near the underside of the Canyon Ridge
Bridge like a good little troll and .. uh-oh... here down the paved
path comes somebodies wet dog that's going to want to get friendly
with me. Sorry, dog. The sign clearly says, "No Wet Dogs Allowed
Near Steve". I look away for a second, but out of the corner of my
eye I see it's still coming and I don't see anything human behind
it...

Wait, that's an odd looking dog. It's not a dog at all, it's a
big-ass ferret. Hmm, maybe not. Too big to be a ferret or even a
weasel. It looks like a cross between a wiener dog and a seal. Is
that.... a platypus?! Hmm, no, that would be a wiener dog and a
duck. Oh my god, it's a god-damned swamp rat! Holy shit, I thought
those were urban legends! Are they dangerous? Because this one is
almost on me and staring at me like I'm his lunch... But there's
something almost comic about this...

He passes in front of my feet about 18 inches away, still staring at
me as if to say, "Have you figured it out yet?". I thought and said
it at the same time: "You're an otter, aren't you?". He passed by
and slipped into the water as all four of his outboard engines
kicked in and he was gone, but not before I could have sworn he
said, "Swamp rats don't swim like *this*, you dumbass!"

I haven't seen an otter since... watching Grizzly Adams when I was
10 years old. Apparently they've just recently started invading
Austin.

<http://www.wfaa.com/news/entertainment/pets/Rarely-seen-Texas-otter-may-be-making-a-comeback-84233467.html>

Last year I was one of the few and the first to report hearing a
Giant Cicada return to Texas, and this year it's the platypus. Err,
otter. Whatever. You folks need to get out to nature more :-)

Oh, back to the story line...

I smelled onions at Canyon Ridge right before the otter incident.
In fact, I've probably smelled onions 15 times along smaller
waterways in Austin but never really gave it a second thought. Why
- I don't know. It's food after all.

Later on that same day I went through Mearns Meadow Park which
carries part of Little Walnut Creek. Some Mexicans had just
finished kicking around a black and white ball and a few of them
headed for the swampy part of the creek. Maybe they took a ****,
too, but they each came up with a few handfuls of weeds and crossed
to the other side of the park.

I thought that was strange, too. Why stop at a few handfuls when
there's still a half an acre of weeds over there?

Later as I went through the other side of the park, there were the
ball-kicking weed-pullers grilling some stuff. I smelled some
burgers, but mostly what I smelled were onions. Lots of onions.

Finally, my superior IQ kicked in and I deduced that....

There must be a grilled otter and onion taco stand somewhere in
Austin that's open on Mother's day. Any suggestions?

-sw

On May 3, 12:14*pm, Sqwertz > wrote:
> Last weekend I was sitting near the underside of the Canyon Ridge
> Bridge like a good little troll and .. uh-oh...snippety-doo
Sorry not to offer suggestions, other than to say such writing should
not stop. You are quite entertaining, thanks!...PickyNotRecFoodBaking

On May 3, 12:14*pm, Sqwertz > wrote:
> Last weekend I was sitting near the underside of the Canyon Ridge
> Bridge like a good little troll and .. uh-oh... here down the paved
> path comes somebodies wet dog that's going to want to get friendly
> with me. *Sorry, dog. *The sign clearly says, "No Wet Dogs Allowed
> Near Steve". *I look away for a second, but out of the corner of my
> eye I see it's still coming and I don't see anything human behind
> it...
>
> Wait, that's an odd looking dog. *It's not a dog at all, it's a
> big-ass ferret. *Hmm, maybe not. *Too big to be a ferret or even a
> weasel. *It looks like a cross between a wiener dog and a seal. *Is
> that.... a platypus?! *Hmm, no, that would be a wiener dog and a
> duck. *Oh my god, it's a god-damned swamp rat! *Holy shit, I thought
> those were urban legends! *Are they dangerous? *Because this one is
> almost on me and staring at me like I'm his lunch... *But there's
> something almost comic about this...
>
> He passes in front of my feet about 18 inches away, still staring at
> me as if to say, "Have you figured it out yet?". *I thought and said
> it at the same time: "You're an otter, aren't you?". *He passed by
> and slipped into the water as all four of his outboard engines
> kicked in and he was gone, but not before I could have sworn he
> said, "Swamp rats don't swim like *this*, you dumbass!"
>
> I haven't seen an otter since... watching Grizzly Adams when I was
> 10 years old. *Apparently they've just recently started invading
> Austin.
>
> <http://www.wfaa.com/news/entertainment/pets/Rarely-seen-Texas-otter-m...>
>
> Last year I was one of the few and the first to report hearing a
> Giant Cicada return to Texas, and this year it's the platypus. *Err,
> otter. *Whatever. *You folks need to get out to nature more :-)
>
> Oh, back to the story line...
>
> I smelled onions at Canyon Ridge right before the otter incident.
> In fact, I've probably smelled onions 15 times along smaller
> waterways in Austin but never really gave it a second thought. *Why
> - I don't know. *It's food after all.
>
> Later on that same day I went through Mearns Meadow Park which
> carries part of Little Walnut Creek. *Some Mexicans had just
> finished kicking around a black and white ball and a few of them
> headed for the swampy part of the creek. *Maybe they took a ****,
> too, but they each came up with a few handfuls of weeds and crossed
> to the other side of the park.
>
> I thought that was strange, too. *Why stop at a few handfuls when
> there's still a half an acre of weeds over there?
>
> Later as I went through the other side of the park, there were the
> ball-kicking weed-pullers grilling some stuff. *I smelled some
> burgers, but mostly what I smelled were onions. *Lots of onions.
>
> Finally, my superior IQ kicked in and I deduced that....
>
> There must be a grilled otter and onion taco stand somewhere in
> Austin that's open on Mother's day. *Any suggestions?
>
> -sw

do ramps grow in your area? They are very "garlicy", so did you
smell garlic with the onion smell? If so they probably were ramps,
if not, then wild onions.

On Mon, 3 May 2010 12:45:34 -0700 (PDT), ImStillMags wrote:

> do ramps grow in your area? They are very "garlicy", so did you
> smell garlic with the onion smell? If so they probably were ramps,
> if not, then wild onions.

I don't know. That's why I was thinking they may be ramps because I
know they grow wild in some states, but I've never seen a ramp. Or
seen them for sale anywhere.

Hopefully somebody from the austin.gardening group knows, but it's a
pretty dead group there lately.

They were very strong and somewhat garlicky, yes. I didn't even
consider ramps until somebody posted a picture of them in
alt.food.binaries the other day and I thought that maybe that's what
we have here in TX, too.

-sw

On May 3, 4:31*pm, Sqwertz > wrote:
> On Mon, 3 May 2010 12:45:34 -0700 (PDT), ImStillMags wrote:
> > do ramps grow in your area? * They are very "garlicy", so did you
> > smell garlic with the onion smell? * If so they probably were ramps,
> > if not, then wild onions.
>
> I don't know. *That's why I was thinking they may be ramps because I
> know they grow wild in some states, but I've never seen a ramp. *Or
> seen them for sale anywhere.
>
> Hopefully somebody from the austin.gardening group knows, but it's a
> pretty dead group there lately.
>
> They were very strong and somewhat garlicky, yes. *I didn't even
> consider ramps until somebody posted a picture of them in
> alt.food.binaries the other day and I thought that maybe that's what
> we have here in TX, too.
>
> -sw

Well, ramps have leaves that are wide and flat more like a lilly of
the valley than an onion and they are quite
pungent smelling. Here are some pictures. IF they don't look like
these, then they are wild onions.

http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&s...=&oq=&gs_rfai=

On Mon, 03 May 2010 18:24:39 -0600, Paul wrote:

> Sqwertz wrote:
>> Last weekend I was sitting near the underside of the Canyon Ridge
>> Bridge
>
> Great writing!
> Austin I don't know, but here in Houston I would
> say nutria and chives.

These were much bigger than chives with a definite root. And they
were taken from a low swampy flat land next to the creek. That much
I could tell.

Nutria? ... Oh - you mean the swamp rat. It was definitely a
Texas River Otter:

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild...es/otter/otter.

"Their short legs and long, slender physique makes their movements
on land seem awkward, but they are graceful and nimble in the
water."

This guy was almost the full 2 feet long, as well. So that's why I
described the scene as comical. Any other wild animal would have
ducked into the water or turned around as soon as it saw me. This
is why I thought it was a tame dog at first. I saw it turn the
corner 30 yards away and we saw each other at the same time, but it
didn't even flinch, just kept coming.

-sw

Sqwertz wrote:
> Last weekend I was sitting near the underside of the Canyon Ridge
> Bridge

Great writing!
Austin I don't know, but here in Houston I would
say nutria and chives.

On Mon, 3 May 2010 14:14:27 -0500, Sqwertz >
wrote:

>Last weekend I was sitting near the underside of the Canyon Ridge
>Bridge like a good little troll and ..

<Snip>

>There must be a grilled otter and onion taco stand somewhere in
>Austin that's open on Mother's day. Any suggestions?

Great story. No suggestions but it was a good read.

Lou

Sqwertz wrote:
> On Mon, 03 May 2010 18:24:39 -0600, Paul wrote:
>
>> Sqwertz wrote:
>>> Last weekend I was sitting near the underside of the Canyon Ridge
>>> Bridge
>> Great writing!
>> Austin I don't know, but here in Houston I would
>> say nutria and chives.
>
> These were much bigger than chives with a definite root. And they
> were taken from a low swampy flat land next to the creek. That much
> I could tell.
>
> Nutria? ... Oh - you mean the swamp rat. It was definitely a
> Texas River Otter:
>
> http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild...es/otter/otter.
>
> "Their short legs and long, slender physique makes their movements
> on land seem awkward, but they are graceful and nimble in the
> water."
>
> This guy was almost the full 2 feet long, as well. So that's why I
> described the scene as comical. Any other wild animal would have
> ducked into the water or turned around as soon as it saw me. This
> is why I thought it was a tame dog at first. I saw it turn the
> corner 30 yards away and we saw each other at the same time, but it
> didn't even flinch, just kept coming.
>
> -sw

How cool! I did a google pic search.
I lived all over Texas for 40 years and never knew there
was such a thing. Thanks!
Maybe what I call chives are not chives?
I get them from the banks of the Brazos River
and swampy places from Katy to Dallas.
Now I will have to search

On Mon, 3 May 2010 16:38:25 -0700 (PDT), ImStillMags wrote:

> Well, ramps have leaves that are wide and flat more like a lilly of
> the valley than an onion and they are quite
> pungent smelling. Here are some pictures. IF they don't look like
> these, then they are wild onions.
>
> http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&s...=&oq=&gs_rfai=

I looked them up and saw pictures, but I really didn't pay attention
to what they picked. I just know they were much larger and leafier
than chives. I would go back there and check, but I don't live
anywhere near those two places.

-sw

On Mon, 03 May 2010 19:06:30 -0600, Paul wrote:

> How cool! I did a google pic search.
> I lived all over Texas for 40 years and never knew there
> was such a thing. Thanks!

I've lived in several states from coast to coast and never seen an
otter in person except maybe at a Sea World... 30+ years ago. I
forgot they even existed is why I was having a hard time placing
this animal. I knew it was something I should know, though.

> Maybe what I call chives are not chives?
> I get them from the banks of the Brazos River
> and swampy places from Katy to Dallas.
> Now I will have to search

Like somebody said, the leaves look almost like a slender bok choy.
Somebody posted this in alt.binaries.food which is what made me
remember to ask about them. I forget where this guy lives.

Message-ID: >

Other pics at:
<http://images.google.com/images?um=1&hl=en&tbs=isch%3A1&sa=1&q=ramps+onions &aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=&start=0>

Onions grow in sandy soil (like leeks, I think). I wouldn't think
they grow in swampy areas, but I'm no expert.

-sw

On Mon, 03 May 2010 19:34:49 -0500, Lou Decruss wrote:

> On Mon, 3 May 2010 14:14:27 -0500, Sqwertz >
> wrote:
>
>>Last weekend I was sitting near the underside of the Canyon Ridge
>>Bridge like a good little troll and ..
>
> <Snip>
>
>>There must be a grilled otter and onion taco stand somewhere in
>>Austin that's open on Mother's day. Any suggestions?
>
> Great story. No suggestions but it was a good read.

Thank you, and the others for the compliment. I got an "A" in
Creative writing class. I didn't know where to post the otter
story, so I worked it into a food related post. That really was my
thought process for those 8-10 seconds. There was that second or two
where I thought, "Should I be concerned?". I did have some food
with me.

I did some further research on it and notified the Otter Tracker guy
at Texas Parks and Wildlife Department with the exact location on a
Google Maps satellite image.

<http://www.statesman.com/sports/outdoors/river-otters-a-rare-sight-in-texas-but-261670.html>
<http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=Canyon+Ridge+Dr,+Austin,+Travis,+Texa s+78753&ie=UTF8&cd=2&geocode=FYLtzwEdcKQt-g&split=0&sll=30.402985,-97.671715&sspn=0.008035,0.006295&hq=&hnear=Canyon+ Ridge+Dr,+Austin,+Travis,+Texas+78753&ll=30.402095 ,-97.671815&spn=0.001277,0.001979&t=h&z=19>

You can't really tell, but this is a walking trail, too awkward for
jogging. The area is still under construction - complete with a
fake, 15' x 30 ft waterfall that is turned on and off. I don't know
why it's there with signs saying "This area closed from dusk to
dawn" if the HEB security guard regular comes and kicks people out
like he did me that day (HEB owns both sides of Canyon Ridge, and
that trail connects the 4 major sections).

Didn't I just post that I loved my grocery store, HEB? Well, I love
them a little less now.

-sw

In article >,
Sqwertz > wrote:

> I haven't seen an otter since... watching Grizzly Adams when I was
> 10 years old. Apparently they've just recently started invading
> Austin.
>
> <http://www.wfaa.com/news/entertainme...tter-may-be-ma
> king-a-comeback-84233467.html>
>
> Last year I was one of the few and the first to report hearing a
> Giant Cicada return to Texas, and this year it's the platypus. Err,
> otter. Whatever. You folks need to get out to nature more :-)

Most likely was a Nutria. They are common around here, ;-)

>
> Oh, back to the story line...
>
> I smelled onions at Canyon Ridge right before the otter incident.
> In fact, I've probably smelled onions 15 times along smaller
> waterways in Austin but never really gave it a second thought. Why
> - I don't know. It's food after all.
>
> Later on that same day I went through Mearns Meadow Park which
> carries part of Little Walnut Creek. Some Mexicans had just
> finished kicking around a black and white ball and a few of them
> headed for the swampy part of the creek. Maybe they took a ****,
> too, but they each came up with a few handfuls of weeds and crossed
> to the other side of the park.
>
> I thought that was strange, too. Why stop at a few handfuls when
> there's still a half an acre of weeds over there?
>
> Later as I went through the other side of the park, there were the
> ball-kicking weed-pullers grilling some stuff. I smelled some
> burgers, but mostly what I smelled were onions. Lots of onions.
>
> Finally, my superior IQ kicked in and I deduced that....
>
> There must be a grilled otter and onion taco stand somewhere in
> Austin that's open on Mother's day. Any suggestions?
>
> -sw

Have you looked at the pics me and JJ have posted lately on a.b.f. dear?

They are most common near the river banks. Both Ramps and the local
Egyptian Walking Onions.
--
Peace! Om

Web Albums: <http://picasaweb.google.com/OMPOmelet>
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat. --Alex Levine

In article >,
Sqwertz > wrote:

> On Mon, 3 May 2010 12:45:34 -0700 (PDT), ImStillMags wrote:
>
> > do ramps grow in your area? They are very "garlicy", so did you
> > smell garlic with the onion smell? If so they probably were ramps,
> > if not, then wild onions.
>
> I don't know. That's why I was thinking they may be ramps because I
> know they grow wild in some states, but I've never seen a ramp. Or
> seen them for sale anywhere.
>
> Hopefully somebody from the austin.gardening group knows, but it's a
> pretty dead group there lately.
>
> They were very strong and somewhat garlicky, yes. I didn't even
> consider ramps until somebody posted a picture of them in
> alt.food.binaries the other day and I thought that maybe that's what
> we have here in TX, too.
>
> -sw

I have both growing in my yard and next door thanks to the starts I dug
up from the riverbanks in Georgetown over 20 years ago. They do well.
--
Peace! Om

Web Albums: <http://picasaweb.google.com/OMPOmelet>
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat. --Alex Levine

In article >,
Sqwertz > wrote:

> Nutria? ... Oh - you mean the swamp rat. It was definitely a
> Texas River Otter:
>
> http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild...es/otter/otter.
>
> "Their short legs and long, slender physique makes their movements
> on land seem awkward, but they are graceful and nimble in the
> water."
>
> This guy was almost the full 2 feet long, as well. So that's why I
> described the scene as comical. Any other wild animal would have
> ducked into the water or turned around as soon as it saw me. This
> is why I thought it was a tame dog at first. I saw it turn the
> corner 30 yards away and we saw each other at the same time, but it
> didn't even flinch, just kept coming.
>
> -sw

Pages not found. :-(
--
Peace! Om

Web Albums: <http://picasaweb.google.com/OMPOmelet>
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat. --Alex Levine

On Mon, 03 May 2010 21:46:47 -0500, Omelet >
wrote:

>In article >,
> Sqwertz > wrote:
>
>> I haven't seen an otter since... watching Grizzly Adams when I was
>> 10 years old. Apparently they've just recently started invading
>> Austin.
>>
>> <http://www.wfaa.com/news/entertainme...tter-may-be-ma
>> king-a-comeback-84233467.html>
>>
>> Last year I was one of the few and the first to report hearing a
>> Giant Cicada return to Texas, and this year it's the platypus. Err,
>> otter. Whatever. You folks need to get out to nature more :-)
>
>Most likely was a Nutria. They are common around here, ;-)

Could be nutria, could also be muskrat:
http://www.kaweahoaks.com/html/muskrat.html

On Mon, 3 May 2010 21:26:36 -0500, Sqwertz >
wrote:

>On Mon, 03 May 2010 19:34:49 -0500, Lou Decruss wrote:
>
>> On Mon, 3 May 2010 14:14:27 -0500, Sqwertz >
>> wrote:
>>
>>>Last weekend I was sitting near the underside of the Canyon Ridge
>>>Bridge like a good little troll and ..
>>
>> <Snip>
>>
>>>There must be a grilled otter and onion taco stand somewhere in
>>>Austin that's open on Mother's day. Any suggestions?
>>
>> Great story. No suggestions but it was a good read.
>
>Thank you, and the others for the compliment. I got an "A" in
>Creative writing class. I didn't know where to post the otter
>story, so I worked it into a food related post. That really was my
>thought process for those 8-10 seconds. There was that second or two
>where I thought, "Should I be concerned?". I did have some food
>with me.
>
>I did some further research on it and notified the Otter Tracker guy
>at Texas Parks and Wildlife Department with the exact location on a
>Google Maps satellite image.

I've seen them here in Illinois. I just looked and it seems in the
late 70's they estimated just a couple hundred were around. Now
there's over 10,000. They've been sighted in Burhham Harbor so
they're certainly not shy. I think they're kinda cute myself.

Lou

On Mon, 03 May 2010 21:51:04 -0500, Omelet wrote:

> In article >,
> Sqwertz > wrote:
>
>> Nutria? ... Oh - you mean the swamp rat. It was definitely a
>> Texas River Otter:
>>
>> http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild...es/otter/otter.
>>
>> "Their short legs and long, slender physique makes their movements
>> on land seem awkward, but they are graceful and nimble in the
>> water."
>>
>> This guy was almost the full 2 feet long, as well. So that's why I
>> described the scene as comical. Any other wild animal would have
>> ducked into the water or turned around as soon as it saw me. This
>> is why I thought it was a tame dog at first. I saw it turn the
>> corner 30 yards away and we saw each other at the same time, but it
>> didn't even flinch, just kept coming.
>>
>> -sw
>
> Pages not found. :-(

boop off the last 'otter' thusly

<http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/species/otter/>

your pal,
blake





;

On Tue, 4 May 2010 11:16:51 -0400, blake murphy wrote:

>>> http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild...es/otter/otter.

>> Pages not found. :-(
>
> boop off the last 'otter' thusly
>
> <http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/species/otter/>

The period should have been a > (forgot to press shift). That would
have been easier to figure out than 1425%.

-sw

On Tue, 04 May 2010 09:22:34 -0500, Lou Decruss wrote:

> I've seen them here in Illinois. I just looked and it seems in the
> late 70's they estimated just a couple hundred were around. Now
> there's over 10,000. They've been sighted in Burhham Harbor so
> they're certainly not shy. I think they're kinda cute myself.

This one certainly didn't seem threatened by me. But he's probably
never heard of Usenet.

-sw

Lou Decruss wrote:
> Sqwertz > wrote:
>
>>I did some further research on it and notified the Otter Tracker guy
>>at Texas Parks and Wildlife Department with the exact location on a
>>Google Maps satellite image.
>
> I've seen them here in Illinois. I just looked and it seems in the
> late 70's they estimated just a couple hundred were around. Now
> there's over 10,000. They've been sighted in Burhham Harbor so
> they're certainly not shy. I think they're kinda cute myself.

There are also muskrats in Illinois. A few years ago one of them got
stuck going through the fence in my back yard. It was much the worse
for wear in the process of getting it unstuck and tossing it to the
street.

And recently beavers have moved into the area.

I've smelled wild onions around the forest preserves in Chicago metro.
Probably eitehr ramps or wild garlic of some sort.

On Tue, 04 May 2010 09:24:29 -0400, brooklyn1 wrote:

> On Mon, 03 May 2010 21:46:47 -0500, Omelet >
> wrote:
>
>>In article >,
>> Sqwertz > wrote:
>>
>>> I haven't seen an otter since... watching Grizzly Adams when I was
>>> 10 years old. Apparently they've just recently started invading
>>> Austin.
>>>
>>> <http://www.wfaa.com/news/entertainme...tter-may-be-ma
>>> king-a-comeback-84233467.html>
>>>
>>> Last year I was one of the few and the first to report hearing a
>>> Giant Cicada return to Texas, and this year it's the platypus. Err,
>>> otter. Whatever. You folks need to get out to nature more :-)
>>
>>Most likely was a Nutria. They are common around here, ;-)
>
> Could be nutria, could also be muskrat:
> http://www.kaweahoaks.com/html/muskrat.html

No. It was otter.

It never fails to amaze me the assholes in Texas when you say you
saw such-and-such, they so "no, it was an xyz".

It was an otter. No doubt about it.

A few months ago I saw a Texas Coral Snake right outside my front
door. Several other people chimed in to the neighborhood mailing
list and said they have seen them, too. But even more people who
didn't see them insisted they were king snakes, not coral snakes.

Uh, no. We all looked specifically at the order of the stripes. We
know what we saw, thank you, but kindly **** off. No, they were
King Snakes dammit! It got pretty nasty.

The nerve of these kinds of people is outstanding.

-sw

"Sqwertz" > wrote in message
...
> On Tue, 04 May 2010 09:24:29 -0400, brooklyn1 wrote:
>
>> On Mon, 03 May 2010 21:46:47 -0500, Omelet >
>> wrote:
>>
>>>In article >,
>>> Sqwertz > wrote:
>>>
>>>> I haven't seen an otter since... watching Grizzly Adams when I was
>>>> 10 years old. Apparently they've just recently started invading
>>>> Austin.
>>>>
>>>> <http://www.wfaa.com/news/entertainme...tter-may-be-ma
>>>> king-a-comeback-84233467.html>
>>>>
>>>> Last year I was one of the few and the first to report hearing a
>>>> Giant Cicada return to Texas, and this year it's the platypus. Err,
>>>> otter. Whatever. You folks need to get out to nature more :-)
>>>
>>>Most likely was a Nutria. They are common around here, ;-)
>>
>> Could be nutria, could also be muskrat:
>> http://www.kaweahoaks.com/html/muskrat.html
>
> No. It was otter.

Omlet knows everything, has done everything, and has experienced everything.
Bet she's related to Jerry and andy and Jill???

>
> It never fails to amaze me the assholes in Texas when you say you
> saw such-and-such, they so "no, it was an xyz".
>
> It was an otter. No doubt about it.
>
> A few months ago I saw a Texas Coral Snake right outside my front
> door. Several other people chimed in to the neighborhood mailing
> list and said they have seen them, too. But even more people who
> didn't see them insisted they were king snakes, not coral snakes.
>
> Uh, no. We all looked specifically at the order of the stripes. We
> know what we saw, thank you, but kindly **** off. No, they were
> King Snakes dammit! It got pretty nasty.
>
> The nerve of these kinds of people is outstanding.
>
> -sw

Red next to yeller, it can kill a feller

Red next to black, it's a friend for Jack

Or sumptin like dat

On May 4, 10:20*am, Janet Baraclough >
wrote:
> The message >
> from Sqwertz > contains these words:
>
> > On Tue, 04 May 2010 09:22:34 -0500, Lou Decruss wrote:
> > > I've seen them here in Illinois. *I just looked and it seems in the
> > > late 70's they estimated just a couple hundred were around. *Now
> > > there's over 10,000. *They've been sighted in Burhham Harbor so
> > > they're certainly not shy. *I think they're kinda cute myself.
> > This one certainly didn't seem threatened by me. *But he's probably
> > never heard of Usenet.
>
> * *Otters and other mustelidae family * (includes stoats, mink, weasels,
> pine martens,skunks *) *are often surprisingly fearless around people..
> I've seen wild otters hunting and playing *right next to a busy *harbour.
>
> * * Janet.

We have a great "creek" that runs through downtown to the bay and we
have otter in the stream right downtown, beaver too.
I see deer on the downtown library lawn. Cougars have been spotted
on hiking trails around the university and of course the racoons are a
total pest. Wildlife around her is so people wise they go anywhere
they please.

Doug Freyburger wrote:
>
> Lou Decruss wrote:
> > Sqwertz > wrote:
> >
> >>I did some further research on it and notified the Otter Tracker guy
> >>at Texas Parks and Wildlife Department with the exact location on a
> >>Google Maps satellite image.
> >
> > I've seen them here in Illinois. I just looked and it seems in the
> > late 70's they estimated just a couple hundred were around. Now
> > there's over 10,000. They've been sighted in Burhham Harbor so
> > they're certainly not shy. I think they're kinda cute myself.
>
> There are also muskrats in Illinois. A few years ago one of them got
> stuck going through the fence in my back yard. It was much the worse
> for wear in the process of getting it unstuck and tossing it to the
> street.
>
> And recently beavers have moved into the area.
>
> I've smelled wild onions around the forest preserves in Chicago metro.
> Probably eitehr ramps or wild garlic of some sort.

AFAIK, the name Chicago has something to do with wild onions. So it's
appropriate if there are wild onions there.

We have them in the back garden. The little lizards like to hide in
them, but don't seem to eat them.

On Tue, 4 May 2010 12:29:11 -0700 (PDT), ImStillMags wrote:

> We have a great "creek" that runs through downtown to the bay and we
> have otter in the stream right downtown, beaver too.
> I see deer on the downtown library lawn. Cougars have been spotted
> on hiking trails around the university and of course the racoons are a
> total pest. Wildlife around her is so people wise they go anywhere
> they please.

We have a creek and fancy walkway that runs through downtown Austin
- Waller Creek. It runs right next to the Austin Police complex and
garages. It's the biggest homeless, crack store and hangout in
Austin. The two most prominent crack houses and drug corners are
just 2 blocks from the Police station.

Fort Apache the Bronx it ain't.

-sw

On May 4, 6:35*pm, Sqwertz > wrote:
> On Tue, 4 May 2010 12:29:11 -0700 (PDT), ImStillMags wrote:
> > We have a great "creek" that runs through downtown to the bay and we
> > have otter in the stream right downtown, *beaver too.
> > I see deer on the downtown library lawn. * Cougars have been spotted
> > on hiking trails around the university and of course the racoons are a
> > total pest. * * Wildlife around her is so people wise they go anywhere
> > they please.
>
> We have a creek and fancy walkway that runs through downtown Austin
> - Waller Creek. *It runs right next to the Austin Police complex and
> garages. *It's the biggest homeless, crack store and hangout in
> Austin. *The two most prominent crack houses and drug corners are
> just 2 blocks from the Police station.
>
> Fort Apache the Bronx it ain't.
>
> -sw

that's too bad. Ours has walking trails all the way from the bay to
way up outside of the city and it is
a favorite stroll for tons of people.

On Tue, 04 May 2010 18:17:04 -0600, Arri London >
wrote:

>
>
>Doug Freyburger wrote:
>>
>> Lou Decruss wrote:
>> > Sqwertz > wrote:
>> >
>> >>I did some further research on it and notified the Otter Tracker guy
>> >>at Texas Parks and Wildlife Department with the exact location on a
>> >>Google Maps satellite image.
>> >
>> > I've seen them here in Illinois. I just looked and it seems in the
>> > late 70's they estimated just a couple hundred were around. Now
>> > there's over 10,000. They've been sighted in Burhham Harbor so
>> > they're certainly not shy. I think they're kinda cute myself.
>>
>> There are also muskrats in Illinois. A few years ago one of them got
>> stuck going through the fence in my back yard. It was much the worse
>> for wear in the process of getting it unstuck and tossing it to the
>> street.
>>
>> And recently beavers have moved into the area.
>>
>> I've smelled wild onions around the forest preserves in Chicago metro.
>> Probably eitehr ramps or wild garlic of some sort.
>
>AFAIK, the name Chicago has something to do with wild onions. So it's
>appropriate if there are wild onions there.

I forgot about that. It's loosely translated at stink onion or skunk
onion. Some sites say onion field. Chicago was marshland at one time
and wild onions grew like crazy. The name was first given to the
river and then to the city in 1830. I don't know if it's related or
not but the river had a nasty odor problem until the direction was
changed.

Lou

On Tue, 4 May 2010 11:02:11 -0500, Sqwertz wrote:

> On Tue, 4 May 2010 11:16:51 -0400, blake murphy wrote:
>
>>>> http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild...es/otter/otter.
>
>>> Pages not found. :-(
>>
>> boop off the last 'otter' thusly
>>
>> <http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/species/otter/>
>
> The period should have been a > (forgot to press shift). That would
> have been easier to figure out than 1425%.
>
> -sw

life is full of mysteries.

your pal,
blake

In article >,
blake murphy > wrote:

> On Mon, 03 May 2010 21:51:04 -0500, Omelet wrote:
>
> > In article >,
> > Sqwertz > wrote:
> >
> >> Nutria? ... Oh - you mean the swamp rat. It was definitely a
> >> Texas River Otter:
> >>
> >> http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild...es/otter/otter.
> >>
> >> "Their short legs and long, slender physique makes their movements
> >> on land seem awkward, but they are graceful and nimble in the
> >> water."
> >>
> >> This guy was almost the full 2 feet long, as well. So that's why I
> >> described the scene as comical. Any other wild animal would have
> >> ducked into the water or turned around as soon as it saw me. This
> >> is why I thought it was a tame dog at first. I saw it turn the
> >> corner 30 yards away and we saw each other at the same time, but it
> >> didn't even flinch, just kept coming.
> >>
> >> -sw
> >
> > Pages not found. :-(
>
> boop off the last 'otter' thusly
>
> <http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/species/otter/>
>
> your pal,
> blake
>
>
>
>
>
> ;
~
Gracias Senor! :-)
--
Peace! Om

Web Albums: <http://picasaweb.google.com/OMPOmelet>
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat. --Alex Levine

On Mon, 3 May 2010 14:14:27 -0500, Sqwertz wrote:

> I smelled onions at Canyon Ridge right before the otter incident.
> In fact, I've probably smelled onions 15 times along smaller
> waterways in Austin but never really gave it a second thought. Why
> - I don't know. It's food after all.

They are indeed wild green onions, at least at Metric and Cedar
Bend (just south of there). They are growing out of the sides of
the creek, just above the limestone creekbed. A little anemic,
but perfectly edible (this was right next to the apartment complex
that was on TV all day for getting hit by lightning last week).

How do they get there? This a feeder creek to Walnut Creek. But
these seem to be common to all creeks in north Austin.

Kinda makes me wonder how far my wild garlic has spread since I
live right next to vary large creek/waterway...

-sw

On Jun 6, 9:58*pm, Sqwertz > wrote:
>
> They are indeed wild green onions, at least at Metric and Cedar
> Bend (just south of there). *They are growing out of the sides of
> the creek, just above the limestone creekbed. *A little anemic,
> but perfectly edible (this was right next to the apartment complex
> that was on TV all day for getting hit by lightning last week).
>
> How do they get there? *This a feeder creek to Walnut Creek. *But
> these seem to be common to all creeks in north Austin.
>
> Kinda makes me wonder how far my wild garlic has spread since I
> live right next to vary large creek/waterway...
>
> -sw

Hey, helping to bring back 'edible landscape' is a good thing!!

Sqwertz wrote:
> On Mon, 3 May 2010 14:14:27 -0500, Sqwertz wrote:
>
>> I smelled onions at Canyon Ridge right before the otter incident.
>> In fact, I've probably smelled onions 15 times along smaller
>> waterways in Austin but never really gave it a second thought. Why
>> - I don't know. It's food after all.
>
> They are indeed wild green onions, at least at Metric and Cedar
> Bend (just south of there). They are growing out of the sides of
> the creek, just above the limestone creekbed. A little anemic,
> but perfectly edible (this was right next to the apartment complex
> that was on TV all day for getting hit by lightning last week).
>
> How do they get there? This a feeder creek to Walnut Creek. But
> these seem to be common to all creeks in north Austin.
>
> Kinda makes me wonder how far my wild garlic has spread since I
> live right next to vary large creek/waterway...
>
> -sw

Thanks!

In article
>,
ImStillMags > wrote:

> On Jun 6, 9:58*pm, Sqwertz > wrote:
> >
> > They are indeed wild green onions, at least at Metric and Cedar
> > Bend (just south of there). *They are growing out of the sides of
> > the creek, just above the limestone creekbed. *A little anemic,
> > but perfectly edible (this was right next to the apartment complex
> > that was on TV all day for getting hit by lightning last week).
> >
> > How do they get there? *This a feeder creek to Walnut Creek. *But
> > these seem to be common to all creeks in north Austin.
> >
> > Kinda makes me wonder how far my wild garlic has spread since I
> > live right next to vary large creek/waterway...
> >
> > -sw
>
> Hey, helping to bring back 'edible landscape' is a good thing!!

I do so agree.... I've noted that a LOT of the city here is landscaped
with Rosemary and various Salvias. :-) Low water users and culinarily
useful.
--
Peace! Om

Web Albums: <http://picasaweb.google.com/OMPOmelet>
*Only Irish *coffee provides in a single glass all four *essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar *and fat. --Alex Levine

In article >,
Sqwertz > wrote:

> On Mon, 3 May 2010 14:14:27 -0500, Sqwertz wrote:
>
> > I smelled onions at Canyon Ridge right before the otter incident.
> > In fact, I've probably smelled onions 15 times along smaller
> > waterways in Austin but never really gave it a second thought. Why
> > - I don't know. It's food after all.
>
> They are indeed wild green onions, at least at Metric and Cedar
> Bend (just south of there). They are growing out of the sides of
> the creek, just above the limestone creekbed. A little anemic,
> but perfectly edible (this was right next to the apartment complex
> that was on TV all day for getting hit by lightning last week).
>
> How do they get there? This a feeder creek to Walnut Creek. But
> these seem to be common to all creeks in north Austin.
>
> Kinda makes me wonder how far my wild garlic has spread since I
> live right next to vary large creek/waterway...
>
> -sw

The onions in my yard have matured and died back for the year. The
onions grew to be 1" across due to all the rain. :-)
--
Peace! Om

Web Albums: <http://picasaweb.google.com/OMPOmelet>
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat. --Alex Levine

In article >,
cjt > wrote:

> Omelet wrote:
> > In article
> > >,
> > ImStillMags > wrote:
> >
> >> On Jun 6, 9:58 pm, Sqwertz > wrote:
> >>> They are indeed wild green onions, at least at Metric and Cedar
> >>> Bend (just south of there). They are growing out of the sides of
> >>> the creek, just above the limestone creekbed. A little anemic,
> >>> but perfectly edible (this was right next to the apartment complex
> >>> that was on TV all day for getting hit by lightning last week).
> >>>
> >>> How do they get there? This a feeder creek to Walnut Creek. But
> >>> these seem to be common to all creeks in north Austin.
> >>>
> >>> Kinda makes me wonder how far my wild garlic has spread since I
> >>> live right next to vary large creek/waterway...
> >>>
> >>> -sw
> >> Hey, helping to bring back 'edible landscape' is a good thing!!
> >
> > I do so agree.... I've noted that a LOT of the city here is landscaped
> > with Rosemary and various Salvias. :-) Low water users and culinarily
> > useful.
>
> Does anybody really like Rosemary as a culinary item? It's like
> garnishing with turpentine.

I like it! Just use a light hand with it. It goes well on poultry.
--
Peace! Om

Web Albums: <http://picasaweb.google.com/OMPOmelet>
*Only Irish *coffee provides in a single glass all four *essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar *and fat. --Alex Levine

Omelet wrote:
> In article
> >,
> ImStillMags > wrote:
>
>> On Jun 6, 9:58 pm, Sqwertz > wrote:
>>> They are indeed wild green onions, at least at Metric and Cedar
>>> Bend (just south of there). They are growing out of the sides of
>>> the creek, just above the limestone creekbed. A little anemic,
>>> but perfectly edible (this was right next to the apartment complex
>>> that was on TV all day for getting hit by lightning last week).
>>>
>>> How do they get there? This a feeder creek to Walnut Creek. But
>>> these seem to be common to all creeks in north Austin.
>>>
>>> Kinda makes me wonder how far my wild garlic has spread since I
>>> live right next to vary large creek/waterway...
>>>
>>> -sw
>> Hey, helping to bring back 'edible landscape' is a good thing!!
>
> I do so agree.... I've noted that a LOT of the city here is landscaped
> with Rosemary and various Salvias. :-) Low water users and culinarily
> useful.

Does anybody really like Rosemary as a culinary item? It's like
garnishing with turpentine.

On Tue, 08 Jun 2010 11:27:56 -0600, cjt >
wrote:

> Does anybody really like Rosemary as a culinary item?

Yes.

> It's like garnishing with turpentine.

No it's not. There are several types, try a different one. Look for
the long needles.

--
Forget the health food. I need all the preservatives I can get.

On Tue, 08 Jun 2010 12:20:48 -0500, Omelet >
wrote:

> In article >,
> cjt > wrote:
>
> >
> > Does anybody really like Rosemary as a culinary item? It's like
> > garnishing with turpentine.
>
> I like it! Just use a light hand with it. It goes well on poultry.

Combine it with garlic, with or w/o lemon and of course EVOO.

--
Forget the health food. I need all the preservatives I can get.

In article >,
sf > wrote:

> On Tue, 08 Jun 2010 12:20:48 -0500, Omelet >
> wrote:
>
> > In article >,
> > cjt > wrote:
> >
> > >
> > > Does anybody really like Rosemary as a culinary item? It's like
> > > garnishing with turpentine.
> >
> > I like it! Just use a light hand with it. It goes well on poultry.
>
> Combine it with garlic, with or w/o lemon and of course EVOO.

And a little pepper, but not too much. ;-d
--
Peace! Om

Web Albums: <http://picasaweb.google.com/OMPOmelet>
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat. --Alex Levine