Summer Wildflower Collection

I'm just now getting around to processing a bunch of images from this summer. These are from Dog Mountain in the Columbia River Gorge in June. I had a great time experimenting with a long lens while shooting the balsmaroot/lupine combinations. The wind was gusting like crazy that morning and the flowers were all over the place. These are my favorite 5 images from the 400 or so I shot that morning.

If you have a chance, please let me know which one of these images you like the most and why. Also, critique of any of the images is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

#1
Nikon D7000, 18-200 Nikkor Dx at 200mm, no filters
1/200 sec at f/5.6, ISO 400

#2
Nikon D7000, 18-200 Nikkor Dx at 200mm, no filters
1/250 sec at f/5.6, ISO 400

#3
Nikon D7000, 18-200 Nikkor Dx at 200mm, no filters
1/1000 sec at f/5.6, ISO 400

#4
Nikon D7000, 18-200 Nikkor Dx at 200mm, no filters
1/320 sec at f/5.6, ISO 400

#5
Nikon D7000, 18-200 Nikkor Dx at 200mm, no filters
1/320 sec at f/5.6, ISO 400

Hi Scott, I like the first and third image the best. I think the out of focus flowers surrounding the center make a nice composition. The second photo I think has too much dard background. The third image has a dreamy like quality that appeals to me. All worth a look though. Pete

PS I am a D7000 user also.

What Pete said. I LOVE that first image and the way you framed it with the out of focus flowers...just fantastic!

#1 is my favorite, followed by #3, with the others falling somewhat behind those two. Here's why:
1: You got the perfect depth of field here for making the lupine and its beautiful foliage the subject, with the balsamroot blurred enough to give it a dreamy look.
2: I miss the lupine foliage in this one and the grass seedheads distract
3: Super dreamy....I love how the balsamroot changed the color of the whole.
4: Nice, but the the background balsamroot distracts
5: Nice, but the foreground balsamroot distracts

Of course, I would be proud to have taken all of these...but those are my rankings and reasons.

Beautiful Series...Awesome color.

Scott, of all posted I like #1 the best. I like the degree of focus and detail on the main bloom and composition.

I agree with the choice of number 1. It has the most interest and best composition.

Scott, I vote for your first image. The tighter vertical composition helps to draw the eye in and upward to the central lupine stalk set against the delicate soft green background foliage. Superb technical job on maintaining adequate sharpness and definition on the central lupine stalk!

Thanks to everyone for the comments. It seems like everyone likes the first image the best. That is my favorite as well, but I also like the third image. The only problem I have with the 3rd is the top of the frame cuts off the lupine stalk...hopefully i can create a better one next summer.

Great work here! Love the goldenness of #3!!!