Winter in the bee yard

Here is the apiary in winter. In the foreground is the swarm hive. There were dead bees in the snow on January 23, 2024, which is a good sign that the hive is alive. Notice in the picture a hole in the snow at the entrance, likely formed by the bees. The other two hives, the blue long hive in the background, and the vertical hive off to the right had no dead bees in the snow. Maybe that is OK, maybe not. It is interesting how the swarm hive was the healthiest all summer long, and looks the best now in the winter. Spring will tell the story. Hopefully if the swarm hive is still alive then, I can make splits from it and be done with trying to get bees elsewhere!