...I am forced to also agree that this presentation would've received higher accolades was it straightened, although your theme is very good. Thanks for sharing.
Straightening the horizon would or course make all the trees lean to one side, so probably would not help that much. The picture seems slightly off balance, but the subtle colours and sky with the silhouettes make a good scene.
Hmm, I think I like the other one better. The sky is too bright: so the gloom is not conveyed well. However, simply lowering the gamma won't work: the trees will get darker. I think that lowering the contrast a couple of notches - and then lowering the gamma might work.
Other than that, I like this one quite nicely.
Jimbob