Gray Wolf of Yellowstone Cropped

I've taken your suggestions and cropped this one a bit differently. I do like it better, but now feel that maybe there's too much "room for him to move" in front. CC appreciated.

From my perspective, I definitely like the crop you made. In this case, the "rule of thirds" works well. The way the wolf is positioned, as if it just strolled into the scene, provides me with a sense of motion.

Hi Elaine - the wolf looks a different length from your original positing. Did this crop end up squashing the aspect ratio of the photo (compressed width)?

Elaine, I wouldn't have cropped the original. I think it's a great image, love the reflection and paw up, and like that you included the habitat he's traveling through. My feeling is there's way too much cropping to make images perfect, when in the real world we're making decisions rapidly. In this case, you made a great decision with the original comp.

Great shot Elaine. It so much reminds me of Bev Dolittle art. I like how you incorporated the landscape into the scene. Nice work.

Hi Elaine. Stephen is right. Your image's aspect ratio has changed. Not sure how you cropped it, but in the process, you changed the aspect and compressed it together. Your wolf is not as long. When you crop, make sure you are keeping the same ratio you started with. I also agree with Dave...I liked the original version better. It had a more environmental feel to it. Don't get me wrong...I love clean images, but many shots call for the environment to be included and because of the position of the wolf on the river and your proximity, I think you seem to have made a good decision in the original version.
Last...I will say again, you can post a larger version. Up to 1200 pixels on the long side. If you are looking for critiques, the larger version makes it much easier to critique the shot...especially when it comes to things like detail, sharpness, etc.
Looking forward to seeing more.

Thanks to everyone for your great comments. I like the original much better too. I'm just learning how to use photoshop and don't know much about how to properly crop, so any recommendations are greatly appreciated. As you can tell, I'm a complete rookie and self-taught, so any guidance is much needed and appreciated.

I greatly favor the cropped view, Elaine! The rule of thirds works well here. This is an outstanding image of a wolf.
I actually thought that the wolf in your original image looked 'stretched', but I was sure it was my eye playing tricks on me. Looking at this version, the wolf's body looks completely normal. Not sure what happened with the original.
I don't think the crop was the problem, though.
Anyway, this is a superb capture of one of nature's finest creatures. Congratulations!

Cool!! Love the reflection.

As one of those who suggested a crop I have to say I like the original better! The varied comments show why art is subjective and can be appreciated differently. Wonderful capture.