The B&W conversion has blown highlights which takes away much of the cloud detail.

For color, a polarizing filter will generally darken blue skies while maintaining brightness and detail in the clouds. The effect is greater the closer you are to perpendicular to the sun.

For B&W a red filter will accomplish the same thing without the reliance on sharp angles to the sun. In photoshop, as well as some other post processing applications, the B&W conversion tool gives you sliders to adjust the luminescence of individual colors, so you can also create more contrast by making adjustments during conversion.

I think the b&w is interesting, and I like the first enhancement.

I agree with Major Nikon about the blown out areas. I think I would use a tool to bring out a lot more detail, and I think that in itself might handle things. Maybe lighten some of the deeper regions on the trees.

I think it's an interesting project. What processing program do you use?

A couple of hours later the sky was clear blue--not a cloud. More often, we have interesting cloud formations and I kind of keep an eye on them
out the window.

My tech son talked me into using Linux for an OS on a new laptop a couple of years ago so I'm limited on processing. I miss my Canon processing, which won't run on Linux: so I use Pix (which used to be gthumb). I'd like to learn some limited features available on Photoshop, but it only runs on Windows or Macs. So, I'm thinking about getting a Mac.

If I sign up for the beach house, I may also splurge on a Mac and go with one of the limited Photoshop options to start playing with it this winter.

(These enhancements are just playing around a bit on photobucket).