Winter’s scarcity of distractions enables attentive and speculative observation

Evidence

The months of the year, from January up to June, are a geometric progression in the abundance of distractions. In January one may follow a skunk track, or search for bands on the chickadees, or see what young pines the deer have browsed, or what muskrat houses the mink have dug, with only an occasional and mild digression into other doings January observation can be almost as simple and peaceful as snow, and almost as continuous as cold. There is time not only to see who has done what, but to speculate why. — Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac, 18

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Distraction enables perception that focused attention forecloses — Yves Citton, The Ecology of Attention, 338; Rarefied mountain air saps evening mental energy while sharpening observation — Isabella L. Bird, A Lady’s Life in the Rocky Mountains, 359

Broader Connections

• Distraction enables perception that focused attention forecloses #qualifies (0.80) — Yves Citton, The Ecology of Attention, 338
• Rarefied mountain air saps evening mental energy while sharpening observation #corroborates (0.75) — Isabella L. Bird, A Lady’s Life in the Rocky Mountains, 359