Orange-breasted Bush-shrike - Act 2 - which one do you prefer?

[Richard Flack]

My lucky day! As per my last post, I eventually got one decent image of this difficult to photograph bush-shrike... and then seconds later got presented with this setting, which I quite liked.
Let me know which one you prefer (this one or the first one)? Look forward to your comments!

Location: Mabula, Waterberg, South Africa
Date taken: January 2014
Photo details:
ISO 640
Shutter speed 1/500
F stop 5.6
Exposure bias 0
Spot metering
Small crop, sharpening for web & some adjustments to vibrancy/brightness

[John Robinson]

The first one for me Richard. Vegetation sits much better in my view.
Cheers
John

[keith mitchell]

Prefer the first one Richard it's just a clearer view.

Cheers Keith.

[gail bisson]

Another vote for the first image.
You have a great pose here but there is just too much obscuring vegetation,
Gail

[Bill Dix]

Add my vote for the first, even though this one offers a really nice look from the bird.

[Grace Scalzo]

The first for me too...vegetation doesn't help.

[Richard Flack]

Thanks everyone. Number 1 it is :)

[David Salem]

Not even a question #1 is the #1.!!

[Binu John]

+1 for the first one. The pose is excellent, but the oof vegetation is distracting IMO.

[Charles Jorgensen]

Put me down for number 1 as well, hands down the better image. As us Safa bird photographers probably all know too well, any bush shrike is difficult to capture at all, let along with an uncluttered bg. Great shot, you must be really chuffed. Still one on my list