This occurred around noon today southwest of Portland.  The victim was seen "running" across the street far from an intersection or crosswalk.  The vehicle was silver metal bicycle traveling westbound.  The operator of the vehicle was seen to brush off the victim, then continue on.

The vehicle operator?  Me.  The victim? An expectant queen bumblebee.  I had just come off a small descent when this bee struck my ear and lodged in it.  I never saw it, but felt this very solid hit, then this large furry thing in my ear.  Tries to brush it out with my (long fingered) glove, then pulled it off and tried again barehanded but to late; it was gone and I was stung.  There was a little black bee debris left in my ear.

Sad.  I just finished the book "Humblebee Bumblebee" describing the life cycle of those wonderful bees.  I now know that at this time of year, the only bumblebees alive are young, freshly impregnated queens looking for a last meal then a good pile of dirt to burrow into to hibernate for the winter.  So every queen this time of year that dies is one entire colony that will never happen.  Saw another queen dead on the road later in the ride.

I now have a swollen left earlobe.  Botched piercing?  I hope the queen lived and will thrive tough I know that's unlikely.

Ben