Please help--have narrowed it down to two

They are both Duck River at Dawn pictures. Using these because they are the most recent of my black pictures, and I had to go to trouble to take them. They aren't my favorite of the series, but they are the blackest--one because of the blackish cloud, and one due to the camera's exposure of the rising sun. I can't make up my mind.

really pulls the eye in.

It looks like a consensus is building and I think I would have voted that way too, though more because of the blackish fog in the picture, which I think makes it more interesting. I think I am just really used to those trees framing that shot. A little deck and clearing was made specifically for that overlook trail, which is about 1/4 mile long, over hilly terrain. That's one place it would be fun to put a geocache, though I am not really into that.

Sort of like familiarity breeds contempt, but not as strong.

This particular place is one of the most neglected overlooks of all time, despite having a big parking lot off the road. I bet that days go by without a single person on that short trail. In fact, I don't think I have ever seen a car parked there, except once, and we pass it quite a bit. That's why it needs a geocache.

If they weren't everywhere, the Bluejay would be seen as a lovely bird.

subtle color. Beautiful.
The first one is a wonderful breath taking photo, but works less well for BLACK.
I adore the reflections of the rising sun.

I like those too.

The first one takes my breath away!

The second one is nice, but ...

I'd enter the first one, to be perfectly honest with you, but I see I am in a minority position!

No worries...

It was close to a tie for me as well. The first one has more drama for sure. I will say that I am a wee bit "over" using exposure as a means to overall darken the photo, although, like I said, it does add some drama. And I like the thin red lines it made as reflections in the first one. I would have to say that the second one looks a lot closer to what I experienced and saw when I was there, so it seems more real to me. But sans the black fog in that photo, I really think I would have voted for the first one.

I haven't done one of these polls in ages, and I certainly thank everyone here for indulging me and participating. This contest theme definitely has me even more confused than usual.