Two from Bavaria

[KMRennie]

Two images taken a few minutes before the skies opened and I had to hide from the torrential downpour.
Ken

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

Very fine. I prefer the square version.

[Otto Phocus]

Me too.  The second one grabs me more than the first one.

[Harald L]

Just for the matter of having a choice I would like to see the first one with less dramatic clouds in order to give the nice tree more impact.

[brandtb]

Very nice that second one

[luxborealis]

Just for the matter of having a choice I would like to see the first one with less dramatic clouds in order to give the nice tree more impact.

Good point.

Although I, too, prefer the square format with the lighter clouds descending to the tree, the first has great potential too if the tree wasn't quite so "lost" looking.

[N80]

Excellent. Second one for me too. I've tried this type of shot in my locale and failed every time. Great work and great weather for it.

[Jeremy Roussak]

Magnificent sky in both. I join the crowd in preferring the second, in part I suppose because it has more sky.

Jeremy

[KMRennie]

I have calmed the sky down a bit on the first shot with a bit of blur. It should allow your eye to rest more easily on the foreground and tree.
Ken

[JNB_Rare]

I think your new version of the first shot is an improvement, but the second shot is still the winner for me. With the "peripheral" detail not there, and being closer to the tree, there's more "immediacy". I feel like I'm there, in the scene. Excellent!