Thanks, everyone, for your insights. Finski, strangely, my bees were not at all interested in the pollen patties that I gave them. But every day we have temps over 50 degrees F, they are out and now are bringing back pollen (red maple and now some willow and other flowers). Since it seemed that they must have some pollen stores (since they wouldn't eat the patties) and now they are bringing in fresh pollen, I thought that it was worth feeding them syrup, and so keeping it warm when it gets chilly.
Bees in Miami - greetings from the chilly North homeland! My wife is in Pembroke (her hometown) at this moment, visiting old friends...