GBH chicks - Does a tighter crop work?

[Ira Runyan]

I'm still working on processing my shots of the GBH chicks in the Viera Wetlands. I decided to try a tighter crop .... Do you think this works?

[mn shutterbug]

I prefer the first. It gives them room to look, as if they are watching something. The frame is too close to their bills, in the second shot.,

[Singletracklovr]

If I am collecting photos of a specific species then a close crop works for me.
However in these picture the nest and at least part of the tree really helps tell the story
of these two young birds and their guardian.

just my $0.02

[A.M.D.A.]

I wholeheartedly agree with previous comments, #1 here is much better than the second shot. It has more room in front of the bird's beaks and overall makes the photograph much more pleasing to look at.

#2 (for me) radiates a bit of "tension" and is a bit "uncomfortable" to look at... don't get me wrong, both are very nice, just #1 is by far and away the best in my opinion.