Google Earth and Guntersville

[burleytog]

I love this program.

[markc]

Google earth = the good

I spend way too much time useing it scout during the week instead of doing other things like work ;D

[Jimzee]

Is that you in that boat fishing that point? ;D

[Long Mike]

Burley, I've got a couple of sites on G'ville that really intrigue me.  I'll PM you with the Google coordinates later this evening. (Gotta run an errand.)  Let me know what you think.

[burleytog]

Is that you in that boat fishing that point? ;D

No, but you can bet I'll hit that spot Thursday.  

I've spent the day organizing tackle and filling reels.  The countdown has officially started.

[Nitro 882]

How often does Google update or refresh their photos?

[Long Mike]

Burley, PM sent.

Nitro, my best guess is every three or four years, but it's only a guess.

[Gatorbassman]

Things to notice about that picture.

It's late Fall. The trees have changed and the majority of the leaves have fallen. The grass has matted and the fish are heading out to their winter haunts.

[Alpster]

How often does Google update or refresh their photos?

It depends on where you are. Google doesn't actually take the pictures. Most of the pictures are 'digital orthophotos' taken by cameras mounted on satellites. They come from various sources that can be traced to world wide government agencies because private companies can't yet afford to launch satellites. In some places, however they will use 'high resolution aerial photos' when available. These are taken from airplanes, hot air balloons, etc.  in smaller areas for urban planning, etc. These photos will have incredible detail.

When are they updated? The answer is, when they become available. For example, I live less than 60 miles from New York city and the Google maps of my house show a swingset I tore down 4 years ago. They are not usually real time photos, but you never know when new ones will become available, so it is pot luck for the end user. All the other aerial photo sites (Mapmart, Digital Globe, Flash Earth, etc.) get their photos from the same sources. What makes one better than the other is how well they keep track of updates. The whole thing is way more complicated than I can describe, this is the gist of it. I hope it's helpful

I am a Land Surveyor. Aerial photogrametry and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are a big part of my business.

Ronnie

[Long Mike]

Ronnie, What was it you said about aerial photomammatry?   ;D ;D ;D

[GobbleDog]

Believe it or not, another great aerial map website is MSN. You don't have to register or download anything, and they have something called "Bird's Eye View" which gives an even clearer picture than any aerial. Here's a view of the West Lake Toho boat ramp down in Kissimmee. (I don't know how to convert the image directly to a jpeg, so I had to use my camera to post a picture of it. It actually looks clearer than that!) You can pan around and zoom in and out. The Bird's Eye View only works in densely populated areas - other places only have aerials.

If anyone wants to try it, go to MSN.com and click on Maps & Directions. Then zoom close in on any major city and choose between Aerial or Bird's Eye.

Check out the Niagra Falls in bird's eye view or downtown New York City or the coast along Los Angeles. Amazingly, I found that it even works in places like London England! Check out Buckingham Palace in bird's eye view. Cool stuff.