Mountain Lion!

Well it happened. It is a beautiful late summer Saturday morning. I head out a bit after 9 am. The plan is to run up Middle Canyon to the water tank, and then take the tank trail to the next water tank. I was going to run down Country Club and home. It is a good sized hill but just a light little Saturday go...
So I run all the way up the hill and am marveling at the beauty of the day. In spite of having worked a long tough week I seem to feel light on my feet and take the hill relatively well. I am playing tag with the US Mail truck until she wins to the top cul-de-sac. I am past her up the final approach to the water tank when I spot a relatively large animal sauntering up ahead by 50 yards or more. Well that will stop you in your tracks regardless of the time of day or circumstances. My first thought is a big bobcat, but it is too slinky and then--swoosh the tail...the tell tail? ouch...It was a mountain lion. As mentioned the neighbors had seen one last week. This must be the guy. He/she/it is not very big. A juvenile I would suspect. Being out so late in the day would indicate the same. As known they are beautiful animals.
I stop running as soon as I see him, but I do walk at his pace behind to continue to get a good look. He eventually rounds a bend and out of sight, so I stop. Then he looks around the bush. Yup, definitely a lion. Great classic feline facial features. He does not know what to make of me. I decide to do what we are told to do. Keep eye contact and appear large. So though I have on my dark glasses, I keep staring right at him, pull my shirt up and spread it out in my arms above my head. I did not make a lot of moves aggressive or defensive, but just made myself big.
He did not like that. He looked away and looked back. Then rather than deal with whatever I was he headed off.
That was my cue to depart as well. Just to be on the safe side I backed up for a while looking up the hill. Then turned and walked down checking behind every couple steps.
When I got to the cul-de-sac, I resumed my running, and yes, making a new plan for the day.

Wow...a mountain lion sighting! Cool, but definitely heightening the senses for running in the trails. Again, not a great specimen in that he was clearly out in the middle of the day, close to housing, and not very large. I know where he is and he can have that area. I will run elsewhere for a while. They are supposed to cover 30 square miles in their haunts. Nice to encounter the awesome power and beauty of nature while running.