Correct, whirly - if you are actually landing, but confined area
practice doesn't always involve ground contact. Recce - approach to hover - clear the area - depart. Technicality I know but if you
do land there are other technicalities to consider such as having permission from the owner. (I've always wondered who the "owner" is if you land on top of a hill in the middle of nowhere...
).
Also how far do you stretch the definition of "... in accordance with good aviation practice". If you overfly someone's house half a mile away from the site whilst lining up for your recce does that count ? If the site is lower than the surrounding area you may be 500' above the site but less than that directly below you.
Thinking about the 500' keeps me sharp-eyed for peds on the ground too. Hillwalkers are smaller than sheep and less easy to spot.
Finally - always pays to think about being "good neighbours". No point riling the natives if you can think ahead and take a quieter route.