Hi George and other Tide Water bee club memebers and Bee-L subscribers.
I aplaud your letter to the list indicating all the precuations that you take
when working your bees.  Mike and Linda Cambell and C. E. Harris of your bee club
will tell you that when I work my bees I never wear anything but my glasses
(because I can't see without them) but I always tell audiences when I speak to
groups, especially young/prosective beekeepers to wear full protective gear.  It
takes many years of active work around bees to learn what to do or not do.  I am
comfortable working my bees with little or no protective gear. However I always
determine before hand what kind of bees I am working.  Presently, I am working
with bees in Spain that will attack approacing people within 50 feet from the
hive. On the other hand I have some (also in Spain) with which I use nothing but
a little smoke without a single sting.
In essence, to enjoy our bees, it is essential to know them.  Wearing protective
gear is one those things that will allow us to get to know them and eventually
learn those things that please us most.
Best regards.
Dr. Rodriguez