Hi Chris,
Welcome to the forum.
The main problem with both of these shots is the lack of foreground interest or a lead in line. Something to help draw the viewer into the photo towards the main focal point. I think these would both be better at a better time of day, when the light is softer. Usually the very beginning or end. The first lacks a main focal point in my opinion, and the second, I can see is the tree, which would be better on the rule of thirds.
Have a look at chromatic abberation also, as you have some around the trees in the first. If shot in raw it takes a second to remove in adobe camera raw.
Jake