Thank you for reflecting on my comments.
Your Selective Color Adjustment highlights the White-tufted Grebe with a pleasing color contrast to the water.
When you do a side by side view of the two images, the “new” Grebe image is more prominent.
The colors and feather definition are more striking and there is more depth on the birds body.
The beak, head feathers and the eye and fan feathers are remarkable.
This bird will fly!
I especially like the tones of the water and there is a nice “lake like” glimmer.

Jim Amato