Originally Posted by
vapilot2004
"Approach" view of SNA. From left, 'taxiway' A (light colored tarmac adjacent to terminal), taxiway C, 20L (both medium toned), and a dark asphalt 20R, and taxiway B (medium toned, adjacent to GA facilities and control tower).
He was attempting a landing on 20L at approximately high noon (12:06pm) in February. This would have put the sun due south somewhat to his left and overhead, but not high overhead.
Those lighting conditions are different enough from the photos we've seen that I wouldn't rely on them to determine the apparent shades of grays.
Also, when comparing the image provided by vapilot2004 to Google, Google shows the grass as brown not green, and 20L as a closer color match to 20R than to taxiway C.