ID Help, Please

I haven't been able to identify this sparrow (I think) yet. Our local sparrows tend to be: Savannah, Chipping, White crowned, Golden Crowned, and Song. This doesn't quite seem to fit the adult or juvenile of any of them. We're located in Western Washington on the wet side of the mountains, but it's generally a prairie ecosystem. This bird was in the top of a very large Blue Elderberry bush near a riparian zone (Garry Oaks, Alders, Douglas Fir and assorted bushes).

Any assistance would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Vesper sparrow?

Dennis, I wouldn't have any problem calling this a Chipping Sparrow in winter plumage. The lack of dark lores is the only obstacle, but I think that can be an overrated mark. Everything about the bird says spizella, and the rufous tones in the crown say Chipping.

I agree with Brian, probably a chippie, but what time of the year was this taken? Clearly not a juvenile and probably too early in the season for an adult or juvie to be in winter plumage, especially in western subspecies where plumage tends to be held into early October...Brian's also right that the eye stripe usually goes through the eye...certainly seems to be Spizella and chippie is likely but the timing mystifies me...Dennis, what was the date of the shot?

Oops. Taken Saturday, August 28th.

Sorry for forgetting the timing.

as for molt timing, I've had adult Chipping Sparrows locally that were in their prebasic molt for at least the last two weeks.