Thanks for the welcome aboard!
Sorry about the scare, though there are times after calling at sun down that I don't feel too comfortable walking back to camp either...
Here in Montana I have not seen any all black ones but have seen a two females with black feet (dark rusty fur color) and one tawny male with half his tail black. Apparently this occurs more the further north you go. Never have seen this before in either CA or AZ.
As far as the Florida cats, they transplanted some from Texas a few years back and they're interbreeding. I lived in Bonita Springs in the 90's and the Everglades is a good fit for them, though their numbers probably won't exceed 300. FYI: Mountain Lion is one of the few species that is self regulating. Meaning if there are too many for the food supply, they'll kill each other. Some of Arizona's Fish and Game research papers have evidence of this, including photos.(New Mexico too).
With all that said (with the exception of some areas in CA and Tucson) they'll generally avoid you. Yes, some may follow you around, generally out of curiosity...or their trying to decide if you'll taste good and how much of a fight you'll put up
lol