Sunset Egret, 2025
Oil on canvas, 24 x 30 inches

Sunset Egret reflects one of Geoffrey C Smith's quiet field observations in Okeechobee County, where the reflective waters of Nubbins Slough often fill with soft evening color. The painting centers on a great white egret standing in still water as a warm Florida sunset moves across the sky. Gold, blue, and violet tones shift together in broad palette knife strokes that give the surface a sense of depth and gentle motion. The composition focuses on atmosphere and light, capturing the moment when the landscape settles and the bird becomes a steady presence within it.
 
The great white egret is one of Florida's most recognizable wetland species. It is known for its tall posture, slow and deliberate movements, and patient hunting behavior. The species once faced severe decline during the plume trade but recovered through early conservation protections, returning to marshes, sloughs, and shallow wetlands across the state.

In this painting the egret's bright figure stands in contrast to the darker water around it, creating a clear focal point without exaggeration. Sunset Egret offers a simple and direct view of a familiar scene, shaped by color, light, and the enduring presence of a bird that has long defined Florida's wetland ecosystems.