The theme is Summer (which version do you prefer?)

[shadowfox]

OR

[Major Black]

If the theme is summer, all you need to do is photoshop in some bright green leaves on the trees, add some deep blue shy and some tweeting birdies. Walla!

[Julio1fer]

Sepia looks more like Summer to me.

[jamesmck]

Before seeing Major Black's comment, I thought that something like "wishing for summer" might be a better theme since the trees are so bare.  Julio is right that the sepia is warmer, but maybe a warm day in fall or winter .  I do like the composition a lot, apart from any theme.

James

[LarryD]

I don't like them for the theme. B&W can show summer but bare trees don't allow that. "Waiting for summer" would be the straight B&W and "A lost Summer" for the Sepia.

[shadowfox]

Thanks y'all for the comments.

I guess the bare trees are kinda odd for summer theme.  I like the suggestion "Waiting for Summer".

I mainly am having a difficulty choosing which version I like better.  One day I like the sepia, then the next, the cold one... sigh...

[LarryD]

If it makes you feel any better if the Sepia was in a 16x20 I would prefer it over the B&W ...

[jamesmck]

Will,

In a sense, both photos are tinted.  I took the first one and converted to greyscale and applied just a little sharpening.  The result is here: http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a314/jamesmck/Misc-Nelsonfoto/shadowfox.jpg.

James

[shadowfox]

If it makes you feel any better if the Sepia was in a 16x20 I would prefer it over the B&W ...

Larry, I appreciate that input.

[shadowfox]

Mick and James, thanks for your inputs, and you're both welcome to tweak the file, I think that goes without saying when we are in the Critiquing sub-forum that your image is on the chopping block

I did started with a neutral grey version.  Now I think I have made up my mind, I like the sepia version the most.

This thread shows to me why photography is an art-form.
It is very subjective regarding which version of a photograph that we like more. 
It's like food and music, really.

As for my plans for this photo, I'll use this to try out Lith printing, which, depending on developer strength and types of paper, could produce either of the above versions.  And that's before toning

So we'll see...

[titrisol]

I like the straight version better
Maybe a lighter sulfide toning (not sepia) will work better

You may also want to try a hybrid cyanotype?