On this cold, blustery day, I rode out to the yard and wondered if tonight's extreme cold will do them in. I had the impulse to move them inside for a couple of days, until the weather passed, but that would thwart the project to determine just how much weather such small hives can withstand and still become productive hives next April. Come good or bad, I will keep you informed. All colonies and nucleus hives are still alive and I assume, happy, in Bee Culture's yard. Our old acquaintance, the skunk, is still alive and well.
Clusters are still in the bottom deeps, and there's little sign of moisture on the inner covers.
The snow has not gotten deep enough to cover the hive stands I built last Spring. All is loudly silent in the yard. Not much to do but wait for Spring - just as the bees are doing.