Two years difference

Over the course of the past year of two, Google has been quietly adding oblique aerial images to Google Maps, beginning with the largest cities. These type of images, shot at an angle, are very useful in public safety. Pictometry has been a leader in this field, and their images have been used in Microsoft's Bing Maps for several years.

Within the past few months, Google has added Lincoln to the list of cities where oblique images are available. The oblique images in Bing maps were shot in the spring of 2010, whereas those in Google were taken in the spring of 2012. The difference of two years is quite evident at places like Kloefkorn or Kooser Elementary School, and the Haymarket Arena.  Here's an example, catercorner from Lincoln Fire & Rescue's Station 1. This is the Assurity building and part of Union Plaza. You can click these images for a larger view.

Lincoln is acquiring fresh Pictometry images this year, and I expect the results to be stunning. The prime time for aerial photography of this type is after the grass starts to green, but before the tress have leafed out.  The conditions are right about the time you first see a bud blooming on a flowering crab tree.  That window of opportunity should be coming up towards the end of this month, if you are thinking about laying your giant inflatable Darth Vader (or some other toy) out in your back yard.