clustering in the rain tonight

Today I removed the hive top feeder and I was immediately attacked by the bees. I quickly closed up the hive and set the feeder next to the hive, there were bees inside it. The bees stayed inside the feeder quite awhile (couple hours)so I smacked it trying to get them out so they would go back into the hive and I could put the feeder away. They are now clustered just under the front of the hive and a spot on the ground and there are still quite afew left in the feeder. It's around 40 degrees, raining and dark.

Why would they stay outside clustering? At first I thought maybe the queen was on the bottom of the feeder when I smacked it, but there are 2 clusters on the ground and still some in the feeder. Just before dusk I went and checked on them, they were clustered so I blew on them and a few came at me, but it didnt break up the cluster.

Attachment 3479

What are your thoughts?
Thanks, Ron

They were disorientated by the experience and it is too cold for them to do much other than cluster.

They were out foraging when I removed the feeder. It must have been right on the cusp of temperature for them to be working in.
I just went out and found the clusters still in same spot but dead. Dang I feel stupid! I can see the live bees guarding the entrance so luckily I didn't kill the whole hive. It was right around 50 degrees when I opened the hive.
Another lesson learned.