To alter or not to alter - That is the question

Colors can look quite different depending on the light and the time of the day we visit an area.  Sometimes, however, we can't be at a spot at the ideal time.  So, what do we do?   Do we just leave the picture the way it was taken or do we change it?   I guess purists would say that we should leave it the way it was taken, that we shouldn't mess with nature.   Although there is some validity in that point of view, I like to keep the original version and then see what I can do with the colors in PhotoShop.  The bottom version shows what the scene looked like, with a little lightening & a little color correction for too much blue.  The top version was modified to show how the colors would have looked if I'd taken the picture earlier in the day.  I like this one best because the colors are more like what I think of when I envision "fall colors".  Which do you prefer?

Alone in the Woods

"Deep in the woods I sat for a long time with the trees.
Feeling their roots reach deep in the ground,
watching their leaves stretch toward heaven,
basking in the joy of being present
with their beauty."  Author Unknown

This picture was taken in Montana a couple of years ago.   I added a little lens flare in PhotoShop to create a more dramatic effect.  Isn't it strange how we try to avoid lens flare "in camera" and then sometimes add it in PhotoShop?    LOL!

I hope you enjoy the quote and the picture.  Have a wonderful day.  :-)