I prefer the first picture - it doesn't look dark to me... but I'm no expert!

I'm not sure what it'd look like cropped a little bit at his front end (as his tail is so near the end on the other side) but I'm not sure if it'd work because for me, his eyes are the focal point and I don't know if they'd look right all the way over at the left. (If that makes any sense at all)

Unfortunately, the bright spot on the water in the background does distract a little but I still saw Mr Squirrel and his striking eyes first. Is there anyway you can make the bright spot on the water any duller? So it's not as obvious? I really wouldn't know!

I probably could darken the white in PS if I had it... there might be a similar tool on the software I've got. I'll have a look. Good suggestion.

i agree with the comments about the background, on the recent edits its very bright. i like his expression and the composition other than that. if you could dull the background, that would help. nice eyes though

Again like the deer I would prefer a little more surrounding the squirrel, think you have caught the squirrel very well but find the bright area distracting. Is the first image posted as it came from the camera or have you cropped it.

Think it could be amended on your PC if you wanted to have a go, needs a tiny bit more background behind the subject and about as much again in front. Sure you could improve the bright patch behind the squirrel as well LOL perhaps this should be the image for next months competition. hope you don't mind the opinion of a self confessed novice.

No dont mind at all Snapper! Greteful for all advice . The pic is straight from camera, unedited.

Glad you don't mind. If the photo is direct from the camera it would be a big job to amend it in PS or any other as it would require loads or copy and paste, perhaps next time you are shooting allow a bit more around your subject then you can crop to the best advantage. It is, I have to say, a much better photo of a squirrel than I have ever managed.