its ok... looks kind of backlit. I'd make it brighter and maybe add a little contrast to help define stuff. I'd also crop it tighter to emphasize the bird and minimize the distractions of the sand... just my two cents.
Yes. I still prefer the first, but lightening it helps. Unfortunately, I don't think this is sufficient as you need more direct lighting on the gull's face and this (I don't think) can't be accomplished in PP.
I think larger apertures would have helped bring out the subject in all of these by minimizing the business of the backgrounds. I dunno, keep shooting and trying different things!