My joy in aerial photography came while I was a helicopter pilot having fun flying and occasionally trying to capture the exciting views outside my window.  My flying partner was also an instructor, thereby giving me the freedom to occasionally take my hands of the controls to capture the images and video. I evolved to learn that drones provide much better and less costly images at the optimal bird's eye level. 

The joy of photography also brings along the unconscious  skill (or maybe a curse) of relentless observation. That next dopamine infused image is just a snapshot away.  The pursuit of photography provides a connection with nature that we all somehow know resonates at a much deeper level.  Personally, I try to keep moving closer with skill and technology to capturing those brief moments in reality that can be shared and re-experienced by others. Most of us will never be able to experience these magnificent places.  How cool would it be to give someone the joy of an  "experience" like they had actually been there:)