[stared]

It is possible to see in near infrared - just use a IR filter (used for photography), and stick it to your eye. Everything should look dim and reddish, but what is characteristic (and different from a red filter) is that leaves are very bright. Also, many black t-shirts are not-dark.

Also, it's fun to make such photos:

http://migdal.zenfolio.com/ir-old

[david-given]

Just be really, really careful about sunlight! When you're using a filter like this your iris is wide open, and exposure to direct sunlight or reflected direct sunlight can damage your eyes.

[alphapapa]

Yes, probably the most comprehensive site about making and using IR goggles is here:

http://amasci.com/amateur/irgoggl.html

He has some very interesting photos taken with them. He also cautions about the iris being opened wide when wearing them, although he claims that he's suffered no ill effects after using them for years (avoiding looking at the sun, of course).

[Artlav]

Funny thing is, i actually tried that as a kid, with the lids from some big remote controls. The world was deep red, and had an alien feel to it, but i had no idea what i was actually looking at back then. The foliage might have actually been bright, can't really remember by now.