3 Turtles with reflected image

Image Critiques Wildlife Critiques
1

TURTLES X3 High
TURTLES X3 High1500×1000 1.2 MB
TURTLES X3 low
TURTLES X3 low1500×1000 1.42 MB
TURTLES X3 mid
TURTLES X3 mid1500×1000 1.34 MB

3 full frame images of the same scene. Help me think about which of the 3 images is “best”?
How can I get maximum artistic impact?

Pertinent technical details or techniques: Nikon D500 with Nikkor 500mmpf 5.6.

@f10 1/640 ISO 400
(If this is a composite, etc. please be honest with your techniques to help others learn)

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2

I like the 2nd image best. You cropped off that log and other OOF turtle down there at the bottom, and that makes it better than the original for me. I like the tone and brightness of the 2nd one, too.
One thing would be to have just a tiny bit more room on the left, since that is the direction they are all headed. I like the amount of background in the 2nd image, too. That can be a tough call, and it’s just a personal preference that I like to have the environment in there.
Cute image. They all have their heads at the same angle!

3

Thanks GennyK
My own inclination is to leave as much of the uncluttered foreground with it’s striking, razor sharp reflections and try ro de-emphasize the tangled foliage cluttering the background.image|690x460