This incident happened many years ago. I was working in a field when I happened upon a large, oval rock about two feet in diameter. Perched on top of the rock was a bumblebee. I leaned over and just looked at it. The bumblebee's head turned and it looked up at me. We watched each other for several long moments. Then the bumblebee raised one of its front legs and 'WHAM', another bumblebee, that must have been hovering in the area which I didn't see, came down and stung me in the neck. Instant headache! There might have been a nest under the rock and the one bumblebee thought I was a danger and signaled to the other. I still love bumblebees and won't intentionally hurt them. But beware! If you see a bumblebee on a rock, retreat - quickly.
In another incident when I was on the Gettysburg battlefield in Pennsylvania, I stopped at a patch of blackberries on an open part of the field to have a feast. I approached the berries and as I leaned over to pick some, I heard a loud 'BZZZZZZ'. I looked around and as I did, I heard another 'BZZZZZ'. The bumblebee was merely giving me a warming to stay away. I heeded the warning, backed away and left. When you hear that 'BZZZZZ', leave.
Both these incidents happened in open areas of a field, so be especially alert in these areas.
This incident happened many years ago. I was working in a field when I happened upon a large, oval rock about two feet in diameter. Perched on top of the rock was a bumblebee. I leaned over and just looked at it. The bumblebee's head turned and it looked up at me. We watched each other for several long moments. Then the bumblebee raised one of its front legs and 'WHAM', another bumblebee, that must have been hovering in the area which I didn't see, came down and stung me in the neck. Instant headache! There might have been a nest under the rock and the one bumblebee thought I was a danger and signaled to the other. I still love bumblebees and won't intentionally hurt them. But beware! If you see a bumblebee on a rock, retreat - quickly.
In another incident when I was on the Gettysburg battlefield in Pennsylvania, I stopped at a patch of blackberries on an open part of the field to have a feast. I approached the berries and as I leaned over to pick some, I heard a loud 'BZZZZZZ'. I looked around and as I did, I heard another 'BZZZZZ'. The bumblebee was merely giving me a warming to stay away. I heeded the warning, backed away and left. When you hear that 'BZZZZZ', leave.
Both these incidents happened in open areas of a field, so be especially alert in these areas.