I like them both as well. Everyone keeps saying the second one's composition is better, probably based on the rule of thirds. I think the first has a nice composition, nearly symmetrical, and it's reminiscent of a fighter jet flying towards you. I personally prefer the 1st.
Thank you all very much for your input. I'm a member of photo critique sites and I never get honest constructive feedback half as good as I get from ya'll. I think I still like the first better. To me, even though it is centered, it still has a very nice feel and doesn't seem unbalanced at all. I also like it because it's different and I am a huge fan of different, as you may know. Number 2 is in the position you see most threat pose pics of Wallies, even though this wasn't a threat pose, but it looks like it, and I don't know if I've seen one quite like number 1 before. But because of everyone's input and because the title has to be "Flying Away", and it looks more like it's escaping and flying away in the second, I went with number 2. I'll let you know the results in 3-4 days.
good luck! I also think you made the better choice. first pic was unique, no doubt, but the second was just an overall better pic. Your eye wasnt drawn to any one point like in the 1st