I quite like the Lilly image myself, for all the reasons you described. "Apricot and purple" - yes!
Everything just came together for that shot, almost without my trying at all for the diagonal arrangement of the flower in the frame. It's impossible to take a bad shot of a Calla Lily, and now I have to add, that it's almost impossible to take a bad shot of almost any kind of Lilly.
The Creator gave photographers Lillys to photograph as a "pick-me-up" if images of other subjects were not coming out well. "Here shoot some of my Lillys, you'll feel better immediately!"
As for the tropical ocean image, everyone is misunderstanding its inclusion here. I added it just to show what sea foam looks like, to compare to the edge of the Lilly petals, in case one has never seen it before. I think I should have just left the image out!
It's interesting to compare and contrast the two, especially with how much more accessible #2 feels to me. Mostly because in #1 the fallen trees "block" my way in, but also the second feels more intimate. And because it's darker overall, it appeals to me as an oasis, both cool and quiet, on a hot summer day.
Als re #2, as happens with many photos we view for the first time, my eyes went to the bright reflections first. For me they are a little jarring and take away from the richness of the rest of the scene, but other folks - including in this thread if I recall correctly - have different ideas regarding showing glimpses of sky.
Thanks very much, Mike. Your comments are always concise and educational!
Not long ago someone shared this link regarding titles. Probably there are dozens of excellent essays out there. Of course, simplejoy's titles are (in my opinion) so incredibly creative, he's in another universe 😁