The Bee on the Flower
I love watching bees at work. Something about the dim drone that surrounds me in the middle of a flower patch when the bees are about is very soothing. Yes, of course, I am a little scared of getting too close, of being stung, but I haven’t yet (despite once having a bee stuck in my hair during recess in 6th grade) and I trust them enough to ignore me as long as I only sit and watch and remain still.
The Bee on the Flower
31 August 2009
Quogue Wildlife Refuge, Quogue, NY
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Ah yes, the infamous bumble bee….
I was stung once by one of these critters when I was around five years old. Stuck my hand into a flowering bush and came out with a seriously angry bumble bee on my hand.
When I was in high school I had a summer job at a local city park where we were clearing land to enlarge the park. Bumble bees build their nests in the ground so from time to time someone would unknowingly disturb a nest and we would all commence to running for our lives. Always funny after the event but not so during the stampede for cover!
It was during that time that I learned something that “supposedly” will prevent a bee or wasp from stinging you. As soon as one gets after you, clinch both of your fists while trying to avoid the critter. The science behind that act is that clinching your fists closes the pores in your skin, therefore the critter can’t get his stinger in you.
Now….whether there is any “real truth” to that I have not a clue but for the rest of that summer and to this day if do incur a bee or wasp, the first thing I do is clinch my fists and I have not ever been stung again.
Alan G
September 15, 2009 at 7:18 am