The Neighbours

White-breasted nuthatch, Tylee Marsh

Pause on a Mossy Stage – White-breasted Nuthatch

Poised on a fallen log, the White-breasted Nuthatch appears both alert and composed — a portrait of quiet determination. The bird’s slate-blue back and crisp white breast contrast beautifully with the earthy tones of bark and moss, grounding this fleeting moment in the textures of the forest floor.

This species, often seen moving headfirst down tree trunks, breaks from motion here to offer a rare stillness. The shallow depth of field isolates the subject while softening the backdrop into gentle hues, evoking the hush of early spring woods along the Rivière des Mille Îles.

There’s a gentle humility in this image — a celebration of the everyday wonders that live just beyond the trail’s edge, for those who pause long enough to notice. The composition honours the resilience of the small and the often-overlooked, rendered with grace and natural clarity.