Uh. I still like the first one. To me too much has been removed by cropping. I don't think the background is busy, the background is simply a blur to me. I think however the feathers seem to have more contrast by isolating certain areas of the feathers but it was as the expence showing how delicate they are. And in my opinion leasining the beauty of the picture. Perhaps changing the contrast of converting the picture to a b/w would accomplish the same effect. Bsteph