1, 2, or 3 or neither?.

This is an area of the foothills close to my home, I have passed these "castles" many times and always wanted to try some compositions here. I went up this past weekend 1.5hrs before sunset to scout it out. When the sun starts dipping down behind the west ridge, boy does the light go fast - something I wasn't prepared for!.
I'll be going back for sure more the wiser, and will scout it out some more - out of these 3 which do you like the most?. (posted in order of shooting)

#2

#3 - This one I posted in ESS, but didn't much response. I think my personal prefrence is #2 looking at them again.

I agree with you on #2 being the best. The rabbit brush shot (#1) would be awesome about 3 weeks ago when in bloom. This looks like one of those places that you could visit over and over through the seasons.

I think #1 is your best comp and #3 is the best light. I would suggest going for a lower angle closer to the brush next time. Personally, there isn't much in the middle of the comp in #s 2 and 3 that holds a lot of visual interest for me, but I do like the rocks in the background and the plants in the foreground. Dave's right that this is a place worth visiting again.

Thanks guys for the suggestions, just what I was after. Joshua, I think the idea of getting lower to the grasses/brush is kinda what I was thinking too, I got plenty more experimenting to do I think out here :).

Definitely #2 for me. This looks like it was along Hwy 7 not far from Lyons. I think I drove past you while you were shooting.

Hey Arlen, yep Hall Ranch, Hwy 7. Were you Mtn Biking out there?.

I didn't see an option for all of the above, but I think #2 is the pick of the litter.

Nick, no - I was returning from a hike in Wild Basin. The way the sunset blossomed that evening I should have stayed in the hills awhile longer!

Lightwise, #2 , comp wise, #1. I would retry the #1 comp using the #2 light in the spring or summer when those seedheads would be flowers instead.

Nick, number 2 for me is best, it is maybe tilted a little to the right judging by the tree.

I'm partial to #3. The warmer light puts it just barely a notch above #2, IMHO.

#2 by a mile--best light. Wait, Don has a point, #1 is a better comp, so #1 with the light in #2

Hmmm, the foreground of #1 with the background of #3.

All three have aspects that I like and it was a tough decision that took me a few minutes, but if I have to pick one I'll pick #1. It might not have the softer light of the other two, but the light is still good and it's the foreground that puts it on top.

Thanks alot folks for the feedback, now I got some ideas based on the majority opinion when I go back .