It may be that I somewhat biased in what is to follow, however, I sincerely thought ... on first glance ... that you had taken another separate photo, Roland.
The 'feel' had changed that much in my mind and to my eyes.
That is, until I went looking in your galleries for the original. And now know what you did.
Dovetailing on my previous comments, and something I had not considered previously ... the compositional element also seems improved. The 'flow' is better and I can't put this thought any clearer than that.
I find this stuff ... fascinating and interesting. How our minds work and perceive ... take in and process stuff. Whether it is conditioning (Western, for most of us) or an innate way that 'we' view things, on this note I am not sure.
I am, however, sure that I enjoy this one that much more. So, my vote and words remain the same.
Thanks for going the extra distance on this. As it was educational to me, as well as, serving to underscore the original thoughts I had. :o)
"There is always something waiting at the end of the road ... if you're not willing to see what it is ... you probably shouldn't be out there in the first place."