That's true in my world too. I work with two sorts of birders: those who must stop, get out the camera, and clumsily capture every bird on film... And those who simply enjoy capturing the moment of spending a short time with a beautiful, wild bird, and observing it.
I will never understand the camera people. It defeats the purpose of seeking the wilderness experience in the first place.
About a month or two ago a black bear walked by the patio where I was working, following some predetermined path I guess. Came within 20 feet or so. I had no camera, no cell phone, no nothing, but I did have a metal chair that I was ready to use for defense. But the bear didn’t even glance in my direction.