I’m not sure that there is one word which will fit all occasions/locations. To me, what you’ve described is something like someone “shooting the breeze” but with their eyes and thoughts. :-D
One would perhaps contemplate nature and survey the traffic?
contemplate: 1. to look at or view with continued attention; observe or study thoughtfully to contemplate the stars
survey: 3 : to view or consider comprehensively
the person would maybe be observing these things overall.
to watch something or someone carefully: She spent her career observing animal behavior. [ + question word ] On their field trip, the students observed how a newspaper was put together.