Easily confused with the Japanese Hornet which doesn’t live here in the States, the European Hornet is a gentle giant…generally they only sting when threatened. We have these brutish beauties at our house now, swarming around the porch lights. I went outside to stand near them as they obsessed over the light and their busy song of hum and buzz was entrancing…that same strange heightened state of calm that didgeridoos can induce. They are frightening with their size and strength, bite and sting but if you are still and respectful, you can hear their song.