The snow remains

The snow remains on the ground and we have suffered some bitter cold temperatures.  One morning our thermometer was down to -18 F, with that day remaining below zero and down below -10 F the following night.  Not much chance with these temperatures for any snow melt.

I decided to visit my apiary to look at my beehives, though it was much too cold to expect to see any activity.  I had cleared a roadway last year so that I could drive a truck back to the hives.

The only two hives that have surviving bees at the end of last Fall are the first two hives wrapped in black.  I am anxious for a day where the temperature gets to 50 F or close to it, so that I can see if they have survived the recent bitter cold.

There are a few rabbit tracks in front of the hives and a nice topping of snow. 






Below the two surviving hives show that there is a small opening at the bottom entrance of each hive when the bees are warm enough to make  a trip outside.

My birdfeeders remain very busy with the heavy snow cover, as seen here through our family room windows. 

The finch feeders in particular are covered with eager patrons.  These are all goldfinches in their drabber winter plumage.