I prefer the color version.
Yes I do too, as I think that it is the muddy tones (no pun intended) within the lower part of the original colour image, that gives it life.
I appreciate all the comments. I had considered coming back to this composition and doing a black and white version as well. I actually thought I may end up liking it better than the color version. I spent some time this morning doing it and it is attached. Now that I've done it, although I like it just as well I can't say "better". I like them both for different reasons.
You know John, I have found over the years that it can often be the case that the better candidates for B/W conversions, are usually the images with lots of bright colours in them, as flat and muted coloured images as shown to good effect in the original shot, usually only translate into muted monochrome images, whereas it is usually the more contrasty a B/W image appears to be, that seems to make it more successful. This is not always the case I agree, but it does seem to be the case more often than not.
But none the less always worth a try
Dave