Nuthatch on an Old Apple Tree

A Eurasian nuthatch grips the rough apple tree trunk while facing downwards, its blue-grey back above a warm orange breast. The dark eye stripe and long pointed bill stand out against the lichen and moss. Red apples and curling leaves fill the branches around the bird.

The nuthatch is the natural starting point, especially the narrow wing feathers and the pale line around its cheek. After that, separate the bark into deep cracks, silver lichen and green moss. Apples bring round red marks to the right side, while the leaves and soft gaps between branches provide smaller shapes to finish the picture.