Bird of Paradise... Pick Your Background

I shot these Birds of Paradise in the same place, just from different directions. Which background does it for you? I lean toward the more dramatic clouds/palm trees, but the mock fighter in the background also has it's uniqueness.

Let me know what you think. It is the contrast between mother nature's beauty and a man made killing machine or is it the high contrast clouds and palm trees? C/C always welcome.

1.

Number 2 by far for me - major impact shot, the contrast is fantastic.

I really enjoy the second picture, it looks so dramatic with the dark coloring and really grabs you into the picture. I like the idea for the first one, but the mock fighter plane just looks like it does not belong, it takes my eyes off the subject, the Bird of Paradise, and I focus on the plane, trying to make out what it is exactly. Again, I love the idea, but IMO, it did not work here. The second picture is very beautiful, though. Great composition, angle, exposure, and contrast of the flower and sky.

Number two for sure...

No contest: #2 in a landslide.

#2 has the far better background, but I'm not a fan of the composition...there's nothing on the right side of the image to draw your attention, and it makes the composition a bit unbalanced. A vertical composition with the flower on the right would do it better for me, or the horizontal with less space on the right. I love the low angle and the lighting is awesome, though.