I should have perhaps qualified this. I'm not poking around to satisfy curiosity. There was a very specific reason to go into this colony unrelated to beekeeping per se. "Don't do this at home" as they used to say about mildly risky activities on the Beeb. All of my other colonies were tucked up with ample fondant in early September and haven't been opened since the end of August. Other than observing what happens at the hive entrance and if brood cappings fall onto the Varroa tray (if it's in) there's almost nothing to do until April.