In this region of glacial soils, melting snow and rain give rise to temporary, but important, wetland habitat for waterfowl: flooded depressions in farm fields. These ephemeral surface waters form in low places over poorly drained, fine-textured glacial deposits and attract many species of migrating waterfowl, sometimes in large numbers.
In these photos from April 7 the accumulation of surface water over a poorly drained, Fredon Silt Loam soil of glacial origin provides migrating ducks, geese and shorebirds critical habitat for resting and refueling (harvested corn fields are a major attraction for geese, with or without surface water).
Mixed flock of waterfowl feeding and resting on seasonal ponds in a corn field; mostly Canada and Snow Geese
Source: “Soil Survey of Madison County, New York” USDA, Soil Conservation Service, in Cooperation with Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station
Photos by NB Hunter. © All Rights Reserved.
Nick's Nature Pics 
So interesting – I never would have thought about harvested corn fields in this way, but I wonder if this happened all the time in my former upstate New York home, which had many corn fields and many geese! I probably just never looked . . .
I suspect it did. But goose populations – resident as well as migratory – have increased so much in recent years that they now dominant landscapes and are much more noticeable? Anyway, appreciate the visit and dialog!!
Makes sense!
Great information and photos. No wonder snow geese are doing so well. By the way nice job with getting such good detail in your white. That can be tricky. Looking forward to more springing posts as your part of the country awakens.
Thanks Alison! The weather has been overcast and rainy here for several days, which has helped with the whites. But – it’s killing my sweet spots and speed!