Nearly a case of mistaken identity. I’m glad that got sorted out.
It goes without saying that beekeepers are a weird lot. Still, it’s amazing to what lengths a human being will go to imitate the glorious honey bee. Right. So this morning I received these photos from Ivan in Wisconsin. Ivan has been hanging around Honey Bee Suite long enough for me to recognize both his real name and screen name. In fact, I really felt like I knew him until these came in. I’ll let him explain:
This is what can happen when a person enjoys bees and cross-country skiing. This costume was purchased by my beloved wife as a Christmas gift; she and the kids have a hard time spotting their husband/dad at the end of the race amongst the see of humanity. This race is a 54 km race between Cable and Hayward, Wisconsin. I was mistaken for a bumble bee several times but, all in all, I was referred to as a “bee.” Needless to say it was a blast, but due to the wind resistance factor, I think I’ll just wear the usual attire next year.
Ivan making a beeline for the finish line.
Unbeelieveable!
What’s with the “usual attire next year “? I was thinking more along the lines of refining the image with battery operated wings to counter the wind resistance, a few more legs, a MATCHING hat with antennae and … a stinger!
Ivan was just a few short hours north of me … should I be afraid??????
Carol,
All good ideas. Maybe you could join him?
Two problems with joining Ivan: I’m a snowshoer, not a cross country skier and, a second bee would defeat the original purpose of being able to find DAD in a crowd. It could also encourage a whole hive showing up so Ivan’s wife and kids would be back to square one. I do hope he continues wearing his bee suit if only to keep creativity alive and well! I’m sure he’s already aware of the fact his family is AWESOME!
Carol,
Very good points, indeed. One beauteous bee per race is probably enough.
Rusty, Great story. This costume is more gold than yellow, but it reminded me of a gripe. There’s a Facebook page that posts bee images from all over the world (Ljubitelji Meda, from Serbia). Some are truly gorgeous: open-air combs in trees, traditional hives of all designs, tiny fearless children holding frames of bees…
But there are also many of people and their pets in bee costume – everything from toddlers’ onesies to (urk!) thong bikinis – and also cartoons, and they inevitably show the bees as black and BRIGHT yellow. Honey bees are golden, not yellow!
I don’t think my annoyance is petty, or technical, either: I think this use of color might be a major reason people confuse yellowjackets with bees. What do you and your readers think?
Nan
Shady Grove Farm
Corinth, KY