LOL, thank you! Well we're only new to beekeeping... and very much learning along the way... does that help? Does that make it any better? ; ) Other than the fact I could go and lift the lid to photograph one, I think I could find better photo ops in my MIL's garden, lol. I think where the advantage is that I'm not so scared of getting really close to them now.
7 months ago I would only look through the glass at them. Then I started going outside but would run around the backyard screaming like the girl I am :D but now... I'm getting more and more confident. They don't want to get me as much as I don't want them to get me. We have this mutual understanding : )
I'm not scared of bees either. I like taking the macro shots with extension tubes on them so I get within an inch or two of them. I have even laid under a yellow jacket nest and gotten some shots. I have found as long as you don't make crazy movements or bother them, they usually leave you alone.
I remember you talking about these extension tubes, I think I looked it up then, I'm going to have to do it again and I can't remember them! I am getting that close now with just my macro on and they're not too concerned by me. Occasionally I might get a bump or three... which is them telling me to back off! : ) And when they're telling me, I listen! :D
Oh I just looked yellow jackets up... they look amazing, a little scarier looking but GREAT colours!!!