Juv Spotted Sandpiper

Canon 5D Mark II
500mm +1.4x
Gitzo/Wimberley
kneeling in mud

ISO 640
f/8.0
1/1600 sec

I took this on the last day of July here in upstate NY at a local wetlands. I'm pretty sure it's a juvenile Spotted. Finally getting around to working on some of these pics.
Cropped about 50%. I placed the bird more in the upper quadrant as its bill was pointed down a bit, wonder if others think that's ok (instead of placing bird lower, putting more room above bird than below). I got rid of a partial leg reflection as it just seemed to distract. Did NR, Recovery of Highlights, sharpening, and cleaned up some distracting elements in mud. Could have cloned out the out of focus grass on left but thought perhaps it was ok.

Thanks in advance for any C & C, it is hugely appreciated.

Hi melissa,
I am not loving this image. I don't like all the mud and I would clone out the OOF grasses on the left. I would take off as much as possible from the bottom and add on the top. I would include more of the in focus grasses in the ruc.
I do like the position of the bird and the look back .
I hope I don't sound too negative! :S3:
Gail

No worries, Gail. You call's em like you see's em! I am open to all suggestions, and need to be in order to improve. I'm just trying to figure it all out (and I may never, but not for lack of trying! :t3)
I will try a repost with your suggestions. What do you think?

Re-post is a big improvement. Much cleaner and comp. is better as well. Big difference. The mud on the bottom had to go.

Nice and sharp, good low angle, and I like the look back pose.
I think the re-post much better. I struggle with crops also but if this were mine I would take a bit off the top on the re-post, maybe down in the middle of the darker line in the grasses.

I like the contrast ans saturation in the OP . I like the crop including more of the greens but I wonder if you could have just cropped the left side out all tighter and saved yourself the cloning? You did a nice job on the repost though.

I like the second one much better. Great shot.

In the repost, there's a halo or something around the grass right; but you made the right call in eliminating the grass left. I'd suggest a third crop in which you nudge the bird up in the frame and scoot him over to the right. Good to see you struggling; it's the only way to learn.

hi Melissa,
I really like the repost! That one is a keeper for sure,
gail

Excellent capture and the repost is looking even better. I agree withs some of the others about moving him up just a tad, but overall you've nailed it.

Thanks to all for all the suggestions. Here is a final repost, taking into account people's comments on raising bird up a bit.