I know this has been addressed before, but I was able to observe my bees yesterday flying out over an open field. The sky was overcast, and it was about 5 o'clock in the evening, and I could follow their flight for 100-200 meters before they disappeared. I noticed 2 things. Most of them would make a circle or two up in front of the hive before they headed out on their way--I don't know what the function of that is, probably to get their bearings. The other thing is that the speed of bees published is much too slow. It is no exaggeration to say that they were covering 100 meters in 4-6 seconds which is over 30 mph, closer to 40 mph. Which explains the observation of them flying 100mph when they are flying out at you...