please opine on this bird

Shot one morning a while ago...

OK. I'll have a go. I'm sure others will disagree with me on this but I find the reflection distracting. I don't know if it is the action going on along with the reflection or what, but I want it to go away.
I'm not sue what is going on with the sticks on the right. They are blurry but they aren't. They are in the water or they aren't. That's distracting to me as well. Since you have image editing OK, I took the liberty to show you what I would have done. But again, keep in mind, this is just my opinion and I'm sure if you give it some time, others will come along who disagree.

I prefer it with a reflection. But that's just me...

Too out of focus for me.

This is what it was SOOTC

Sorry, but the light and focus kills this one Chauncey.

My comment is that the bird's neck/head lack detail because the wing is behind. Personally I like the colors and exposure in the original and think it should be cropped and lightly processed.

I like the original better.

I'm just starting to get acceptable birds in flight and 1/400 would be too slow for me at 300 mm on a 7D. You may want to try 1/1000 and bump up the ISO. Assuming focus is good the bird should look sharper and not as likely to get lost in the background.

Chauncey, have have many more photos of this BH that are great.this one needs too much work for what its worth, just me, but I know what you have taken before.

Thanks Flo that means a lot coming from you...looks like it's destined for file 13.