The American White Pelican

These American White Pelicans were slowly waking up this morning, stretching and preening as I crossed the boardwalk at Oso Flaco Lake, part of California State Parks System. The one mile, each way, trail leads to the Pacific Ocean via a boardwalk which is elevated as it crosses this small fresh water lake. Many types of birds and mammals may be seen when visiting.
I saw the small American Coot looking like he would challenge the much larger unimpressed pelicans but he veered off before he got too close. I have cropped this image for printing with and without him, but left him here to provide some balance.
I did read on Wikipedia, that "from early spring until after breeding...the breast feathers have a yellowish hue." I originally thought I had caused the discoloration somehow with editing or a in-camera setting. But I am pleased it is a natural phenomenon.