Vision in the woods, un-focused

As humans, we tend to concentrate on the task at hand. Our entire concentration is usually spent on tasks that we focus in on.  Rarely do we consider it beneficial to sit back and "take it all in" visually.  I am not a touch typist. I have to look down at the keys and type my way into significance on a computer.  Some people can do this., but they still visually look at the screen when they type. The point is that we are usually so focused in on what we are doing that sometimes we don't notice the dog that enters the room, or the person who comes in "our space" because we are just too focused to notice.

When I am in the woods, I found myself using this tendency to focus on particular subjects or areas. I look at a spot, a tree, a structure, a rock formation. But do I "see" it as it relates to the rest of the area around it? I often wondered how the animals of the woods were so keen at recognizing danger and warning signs around them.  I sometimes thought what a pitiful existence to worry all the time about being threatened or being eaten. NOT a way to live for sure!  But, I got to thinking...what if it was just a matter of how the creatures of the woods see things?  What if the ability to focus is universal, but mostly used or overused by us humans?  Then I began to wonder about how I would be able to see as forest creatures see; with eyes wide open, seeing from peripheral point to the other peripheral point in my line of vision.  And so I began an experiment in vision.  I found that if I truly wanted to, I could see the edges of my vision at the same time, losing the ability to focus at a particular time. I held my fingers up on either side of my head to see if I could actually see both hands at the same time.  I was amazed at the clarity and field of vision I suddenly had as it pertained to the environment around me.  And I was actually able to see MORE detail when I did this!  It was time to see what this effect had on my vision while out in the field of research.

So, I sat in the woods and UN-FOCUSED. I tried to relax my vision so I could see both side of me. I was/am amazed at the clarity I had/have when I do this.  So, I sat in the woods and took it all in.  Is this what the creatures of the woods, the big fella, in particular, sees?  I can understand why animals may be able to respond so quickly when we come into their field of vision.  It maybe why we are not able to "sneak up" on a Sasquatch, and why they are so much more strategically smarter as us.  Maybe they are not necessarily smarter than us, but have a wider awareness in their vision.  I have experimented with people around me by asking them to try their hand at expanding their vision.  While some are not able to do this, others are intensely amazed at the awareness they have when they do the simple exercise mentioned above.  Another thing happens, and maybe because it is so unique, but my memory of what I saw becomes greater when I expand my vision and un-focus.

Next time you're in the woods and sitting there, try un-focusing and take in the area around you. You will be amazed that you can see movement all around you.  But don't be discouraged if you can't do this, perhaps you are trying too hard, and too used to focusing in on one subject.  Try un-focusing and you'll be amazed at what you can and do see, and the details you will remember!