Heron - cropped or not?

[Hellashot]

I want to print this image big. #1 is uncropped, #2 is cropped. I'd like to have the whole image to avoid less enlargement to print 13x19. I have other images of this with just the heron at full frame, but this by far had the least water ripples. Which do you prefer?

Attaching doesn't seem to work. Here's the links:

#1 uncropped: http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=4298510&a=31744488&p=72956724

#2 cropped: http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=4298510&a=31744488&p=72956725

[Robert_Lay]

I vote for the uncropped version for these reasons:
The interplay with the other bird helps the picture.
The trees don't look so "cut off" as they do in the cropped version.
The cropped version is too symmetrical about the horizontal axis.

[Ricko of Fla]

Uncroped. Its a little dark, needs to be lighted a little

Ricko

[Robert_Lay]

I have to disagree with Ricko - no offense, but I think that this being a nature shot, it wants to be pure, and I think he has captured reality here.

[Thornfield]

Uncropped. That version looks Right. The other feels like it's missing something and I looked at the cropped version first

[Medalta]

They both work but I think the cropped version is better because it removes the Duck Butt in the upper right. It draws the focus to where it should be.

[mikeivan]

I like cropped but he needs more room over his head. Great reflection btw.

[mdr]

Uncropped, the cropped version needs to have more space above and to the right of the heron. The rule of thrids would really apply to this picture.

[Nidz]

I vote uncropped for this reason: when it's cropped the bird's head is all the way at the top of the picture and just dosen't feel right.

[blue_max]

Uncropped gives the shot context.

Graham

[symes]

Uncropped...the other duck adds something to the photo...

Cheers,

[Red Wolf]

I like him NOT cropped because he looks more natural -- more like you caught something really cool, totally unexpected (unplanned). I'm not doing well with the words here, but the uncropped version has an emotional, artistic, Wow! factor that the cropped shot lacks completely.