mcmama

Number 2. It gives a fuller image.

Jim-Pops Loc: Granbury, Texas

I think you can have two totally different pictures here. One would be the bird and its surrounding and another is just showcasing the bird.
Fir the first I would choose the second picture for the second I would do a totally different crop that removes all the rocks on the bottom and on the right crop just shy of the tail and on the left just enough to make it not too rectangular making it hard to frame. This last one will be all about the bird flying into the frame. I have an example if you would like to see what exactly I did.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

I am more inclined toward your view. I might leave something at the bottom, but it could become distracting too. If the eye had a choice between just the dark trees and the white owl in front, my eye is going for the owl and the detail that is there.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

You are absolutely right. Cut off the bottom, even up the owl top and bottom, and leave just slightly more room for the image on the left for the owl to "fly" into. I just used the download and "cropped" it by enlarging the image. This image is so strong with that owl's eye just over the top of the wing. In either of the images, the eye did not attract my attention as much as in cropping it down. The only other slight distraction is the two light spot areas in the trees just behind the wing on the right. Darken those two spots up to match the light through the trees in that area and this becomes a very powerful image about a bird with great beauty and power.

SalvageDiver Loc: Huntington Beach CA

Beautiful shot of this bird. Of the two options, I prefer the second. It adds a sense of place to the image. If your going to crop, I would crop tighter than your first image, getting rid of the rocks at the bottom and remove a little space in front of the bird, but leaving enough space for the bird to fly into.

Here are some other suggestions based on my personal preferences, YMMV. The image is a little flat for my taste and needs contrast. The sky luminosity is similar to the owl and is a bit distracting for me. I would reduce the sky by using the dehaze slider bringing out some of the blue which also reduces the sky brightness.

The next area is the bird. There is a lot of detail in the bird that seems to be lost with the low contrast. Using curves, I would increase contrast, careful to prevent clipping the highlights. I would add a little texture and sharpen around the eyes and wing feathers. Finally, I would reduce some of the noise in the darker areas of the bird, primarily on the underside of the far wing. The effect will be more contrast in the bird with nice feather detail that stands out against the background.

If you don't crop, I would also suggest that you smooth and darken the water ever so slightly.

PS: you might consider going to B&W. This removes the color distraction and allows one to focus on the bird and all its details and textures.

J-SPEIGHT Loc: Akron, Ohio

#2 look more interesting to me

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

The thing that bothers me is that I cannot see the entire face of the bird.

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

No.2, it gives a sense of height as well as direction.

DaveJ Loc: NE Missouri

I like #1 but I would crop tighter.

Dannj

# 2
The open space adds to the bird’s flight

Cotondog Loc: Saskatchewan, Canada

The 2nd one is more appealing to my eye.

starlifter Loc: Towson, MD

#2 nice rocks.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

I like the rocks. Actually, I think the rocks sort of complete the image. It's always nice to have 3 elements with one main element. The rocks complete that triangle. It also tells us information - like where he is and how high in the sky, etc.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

I’m not sure we can give you an answer: it all depends on what you want. If you’re interested in just the bird, the first one works. If you are more interested in seeing the bird in its habitat, the second one is better. Whichever you choose, be sure to give him some room in front to give him someplace to go, since he’s flying.

Flash Falasca Loc: Beverly Hills, Florida

looks like number 2 !!