I always take a camera with me everywhere I go even if it's sometimes only my phone, although I usually try to take something slightly more capable.
Speaking to the naturalist side of things, I'm an avid user of iNaturalist, and while I know I can take better images with my DSLR, I was getting frustrated with often having the wrong lens on when I wanted to document an organism, and by the time I had the right one on, it had gone and some other organism that needed a different lens was now my best option.
My solution: I bought a P&S Olympus TG-6 waterproof camera. Built in GPS and good macro capability. Tiny sensor, so the images are not up to what I can achieve with my K-70, D-FA 100/2.8 macro and a ring flash, but it fits in my pocket, and besides I can use it underwater to photograph invertebrates and fish in streams.
I can be pretty sure I won't have photographic competition in that kind of subject matter, as probably 99% of photographers only take photos in air, as 99% of cameras are only made to do so, and a DSLR in an underwater housing is both expensive, and completely unsuited for shallow water because of too much bulk. The TG-6 has lots of flaws, and it makes me love my K-70 even more, but it does allow me to photograph things that few other people do.
Most of the photos I take with it aren't exhibition quality, but they're contributing useful knowledge about the distribution of species, and that's something I find satisfying.
I do more 'arty' photos with my K-70, and just recently I started worrying about whether I have enough life ahead of me with adequate fitness to get to some of the places I want to photograph.
Within a 60km radius of where I live are many wilderness trails and peaks that require multi-day expeditions with most of the peaks over 1000m (about 3,000ft).
Sure, other people have been to most of those places, but most hikers aren't photographers, and will record their trip, but not necessarily very artistically.
Many species tend to be seasonal like fungi and alpine flowers, and then weather can be variable, so it may take multiple trips up a mountain to fully document its biodiversity, particularly if you want really good images, and few people have that level of patience.
I only have an amateur interest in natural history, but I've spoken to professional scientists who confirm my theory that there are large areas near me that haven't had thorough biodiversity surveys done.
Many of those locations are highly photogenic landscapes too, but require good outdoors equipment and a high level of fitness and outdoor skills to be able to spend time on location doing photography.
I estimate I'll need years to get to all the locations I want to visit in my region, so I need to start planning now before age creeps up on me and I find my legs won't carry me up mountains anymore.
---------- Post added 05-31-23 at 09:27 PM ----------
Originally posted by jcdoss I walk the dog every day along the same few trails and manage to find enough variability in the scenery and the seasons
This is generally my daily routine too, and although I'm starting to think I might have exhausted the photographic possibilities, the dog actually led me to a great photo opportunity recently.
The more interesting locations have to wait for weekends when the weather and dog are cooperative.