Clay-Colored Sparrow, Montana

Canon 1D4
500mm +1.4x

ISO 1000
f/5.6
1/1600 sec

I photographed this Clay-Colored Sparrow out the window of my car as I drove around Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge in NE Montana last month (I didn't figure out what it was till I get home; I had never seen one before). It had been raining most of the day, and the sparrow looked a bit wet.
I am not sure as to how to crop this. I am including full frame below. I don't want to crop tightly as I like the framing of the leaves and branches.
I did a touch of NR on background, Curves adjustment, sharpened, lightened the face of the sparrow just a tad.
Thanks very much in advance for any comments and critiques.

Full frame.

This is a stunning and artistic image, Melissa. I just love small birds in the frame and this one is no exception. The details in your bird are terrific and the vegetation and green BG are a perfect environment for this cutie-pie. While I really like your choice of crops, I am submitting another one. I don't like mine better...it's just another you may to consider as an option.

Fantastic image! A real beauty.

Wonderful shot.
Very nice light, wonderful background, and great pose.
I really like how the branches frame the bird. Me personally like the OP.
Very well done.

Hi Melissa,

This is a wonderful image. I like Marina's re-crop-it is more intimate and yet still retains the lovely environment in the frame.

I also like the image on #1 best. I love the soft light, the beautiful sharp detail and textures of the bird and tree Melissa.

Hi Melissa, great find for you, nestled amongst all that foliage. The little guy is tack sharp, and overall, I do like all the yellows and greens of the surrounding leaves. Comp wise, all versions look good.

While Im about it, I will throw in my thoughts too. :w3

I liked the OP best until I saw Stuart's, whick I think is interesting as it is a bit more unconventional.
The image is so good (the foliage is amazing), that I could see a number of differents prints made.
Very Nice!

Excellent image all around, Melissa!

FWIW, here is my take on a crop (retaining the original aspect ratio).

Oh my goodness, so hard to choose! I like all the suggestions offered! Thanks so much for the reposts and the feedback. I need to consider the possibilities some more.

Such beautiful surrounding foliage. All the crops make this bird look just great.

Melissa:

The soft light and colors really make this one.

Choice on the crop depends a bit on your end use. If shown larger, I think the smaller bird in frame/looser crop works well, but as the viewed image gets smaller, a bit tighter crop works better.

Cheers

Randy

Very nice lighting and color on this one Melissa. The bird is clear and sharp which makes it pop out from the background very well.
So many choices, but I think your original post or Mike's post suits me best.
Very pretty picture.

very nice Melissa,nice soft light,bird tack sharp,love the foliage and BG.

Hi Melissa! ( How are you?)
This is so nice.
I like the OP the best and Mike's as well.
I love the IQ and the colors in this shot.
Great small in the frame look and the HA police will like this one.
Gail

Excellent image of cute little sparrow on beautiful perch. I like the green leaves and nice green and almost all compositions.
Love the pose of bird,nice HA,colors and details.

Regards,
Satish.

Beautiful girl. And shot out the window even kudos on the find. I love all the color and light and vegetation as well as the fact that the bird is fluffy. So many takes on the crop. For me I like it a little tighter with some off the right side.