in Thoreau’s Journal:

I have been so absorbed of late in Capt. Brown’s fate–as to be surprised whenever I detected the old routine running still–met persons going about their affairs indifferent– It appeared strange to me that the little dipper should be still diving in the river as of yore. & this suggested that this grebe might be diving here when Concord shall be no more.

Any affecting human event may blind our eyes to natural objects.