Why aren't these bees stinging me?

Maybe. Bees are probably a lot more conservative than say, wasps, because they know (probably) they have to sacrifice their own life just to sting you.

Perhaps bees have learned over time that humans are generally not a threat as opposed to bears or whatever bees natural predators are.

There are different kinds of bees. Is this a bumble bee or a honey bee? Male carpenter bees do not sting. Females do sting but are usually docile and stay near their nests. There are flies that look a lot like bees. They are called hover flies or flower flies .

I should add if they are honey bees feeding, they will totally ignore you while mesmerized by the flowers. However if you go near their hive you will be treated with more aggression. There is an africanized bee that is very aggressive.

@escapedone7

Way to steal my thunder, you actually-qualified-to-answer-the-question person!

The bees are too busy to notice.

IDK. I had one attack me from a butterfly bush 30 feet away!! Glad we cut that thing down!

I have been in very close proximity (camera lense cm’s from bee body) to many many bees, wasps, etc over the years… only been stung once, and that was because I accidentally stepped on a bee while walking through very tall grass. I don’t think they go around stinging everything that looms over them. You have to be a clear threat probably for them to want to attack.

I’m to chicken too get close to a swarm of bees, that’s why I have my trusty tele lens!