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So I was minding my own business, putting plants in my garden, twenty or more yards from the hives, when suddenly there is a buzzing around my head. I often have large flies that buzz loudly so I just tried to brush it off and get it to go its merry way, but it kept pursuing me, even when I stood up and walked away from the area I was in, but eventually I was able to get away from it. After a few minutes, I went back and started working again, and it happened again, but I was able to get it to leave me alone fairly quickly. However that was not to last, and it came back, persisting in buzzing the back of my head, so I turned my hat around to keep it off my neck. Of course it got caught in the cap, so I pulled it off and my lovely honey bee proceeded to fly up under my glasses and sting me on the nose. I have applied baking soda, no swelling - yet. Is this behavior normal? It didn't hurt to get stung (shucks, it may help my sinuses) but if that happens to my neighbors they are going to freak! I go out to the hives and observe every day- no gear etc..., the bees fly around me, but have never acted aggressive, but this was just crazy! Has anyone else had this happen?
Cheryl

Every now and then you are going to run into a bee that will be irritated by your presence. It will continue to get in your face or bump you until you leave or until it gets exhausted. I have been bothered, but seldom stung, by these bees. When you trapped the bee, you pushed passed irritating presence to threat. If you have several bees at a time that regularly come out to meet you at some distance from the hive, you may have more of a problem that would bear investigation (queenlessness, other hive conditions causing irritation, or hot bees that may need requeening are examples).

When I am stung for no reason, it is usually by a "suicidal" bee that gives no warning, does no bumping, and goes straight for the sting.

The only time I have encountered this was with a queenless hive, and last year with two hives that were hot and I ended up requeening.

I checked in both hives today and both had eggs and larvae, so I don't have a problem with queenlessness. The bees were fine, not stinging (no bumping!) I must have just had a radical bee who was irritated by the cool weather or something.