Soft afternoon light vs. harsh midday light

I have always been a morning photographer, getting up before the sun rises and be at the location before the sun is above the horizon to taking advantage of the mornings soft light. But today, I decided to shoot right before the sun had set. Wow, I have always heard that the light is just as good and I think the photo above speaks for itself. Maybe my days of getting up early is no more.



Just for comparison, top photo was taken in soft, warm light, versus bottom photo in a harsh midday sun. Which do you like?