First Blush: Hawk starts the day just fine

The female Dawn Jogger got on the road well before dawn and was treated to clear skies and the company of a hawk perched on a limb while surveying the field just north of Big Dish itself. That she was out early or that it was clear is not remarkable. What was is that she’d was home less than an hour when a pea soup ground fog appeared, drippy mist and all. That made the early morning run all the better…

First Blush: All sorts of Dish sights

The female Dawn Jogger was just that this morning, starting up the “back side” of the Dish from Piers Lane well before the sun was up. Based on timing, she’s guessing the person she encountered at the highest point of the Dish area did the same thing, but from the Juniper Serra side. She was doing various yoga like poses, all facing south.

The bottom road on the Dish land runs parallel to a number of homes with backyards that border the area. One homeowner has put a Christmas tree in the yard – a very cheery sight to come upon in the early morning light. All in all a satisfying outing…

First Blush: All about textures this morning

The green grass sprouting though the fields surrounding Big Dish amidst the dead grass is producing interesting textures, the female DJ thinks, especially in the low morning light of almost winter. Add some wispy clouds and some dotting cows and you have an almost perfect late fall scene. Fresh and not too cold this AM after one last rain shower…

First Blush: Dish down, cattle up

It’s back to being a dark run up to the Dish from Piers Lane, now that the sun isn’t up until after 7:00. And it was chilly, too, as it’s been since the most recent rain blew through. It wasn’t until the female Dawn Jogger had made the full Dish circle that she realized that Big Dish itself was down, its “nose” temporarily unattached. She presumes its part of the repair/maintenance work that began a month or so ago. The herd was there to greet her in the dark on the way up, many of the young cattle blocking her path, although they always yielded. Three were curious about her on her way back to the car. Yes, the herd photos start ad nauseum…

First Blush: Sorry to disturb you Mr./Ms. Coyote

For a steady couple of weeks, the female DJ was seeing a two coyotes (she surmised mother and almost grown pup) atop Big Dish. But while the warning signs remain along the Dish trail, she hasn’t seen a coyote there in a month or so. Today she got an up close view of the crafty canine while out on a long run at Arastradero Preserve. It was around 8:00, so fully light, and the coyote was still on the hunt for breakfast in a field about 30 feet in front of her. He/she turned to look at the jogging intruder and then went on with the hunt. It was only when the female DJ uttered “Git” a few times did the coyote yield the space and dash into the bush while the she jogged by. Coyote encounters are always a cheer up…

First Blush: Bright start to a hard day

The female Dawn Jogger and friend Alice (aka LPP) greeted the dawn with a jog/walk up the Dish. It was a clear but crisp November morning and the ghosts of Cassie and the male DJ were with her every step of the way. Today friends and family gather at Trinity Church to celebrate his life. The celebration is easy. Filling the void is not…

First Blush: What’s with the daylight?

The female Dawn Jogger has been running in the dark/predawn for so long, it was startling this morning to get up and see all the sunlight. Had she slept in? Missed the ring of an alarm? No, it was the end of daylight savings time. She’ll get the gift of the sun for another month. And then the darkness will return…

First Blush: Up the Dish after the rain

Looking forward to day of Grace-filled pre Halloween activities, the female Dawn Jogger headed over for a Big Dish run accompanied by son John. The rain was mostly stopped and the air was super fresh. Excellent way to begin the day…

First Blush: Dish at dawn

Going up the Dish from Piers Lane before 7:00 am this morning,  it looked a lot darker to the female Dawn Jogger than this photograph. What is fun is having the Dish’s outline so distinct against the gradually blueing sky. Then there was the perfect jet trail…

First Blush: No sunrise but warm temps

So the female Dawn Jogger runs in the dark in mid-October. There’s only a glimpse of the sun when she’s at the top of the Dish. There is a bright side – she’s still running in shorts and short sleeve shirt. Keep trying to be half full…