Here the swarm is seen resting on a bush. Swarms quite often will rest while scouts search out the best place for a permanent home. When bees are in this stage of swarming they are very mild.
Remember, a bee only has two reasons to sting...
- You hurt them physically
- They feel you are a threat to their hive.
A swarm has no hive to protect, so there is only one reason to sting you... if you hurt them. Be carful, though, sometimes a swarm will actually begin to build a hive in a situation like this. If they have even the smallest wax comb begun it means they have decided that this is their hive and home... and they will protect it.
Photo courtesy of Ben Fisher