Another method to get a pic of your land, is to use a model rocket with a built in camera. From the pics I have seen they give a good overview of the ground below them.

Like this: http://wondertrail.com/hobbies-collectib...ets/p_5844.html

Or step it up a notch and take video with it (video near bottom of linked page):

http://holden.customer.netspace.net.au/rocketcam.html