grumpy old bees

[pistolpete]

I did an inspection on my strong back yard hive today.  bright blue skies, no wind, warmest day of the year.   The inspection started off fine, with perfectly calm little ladies, but five minutes later they decided to go on the offensive.   I got to look through about 6 frames before I had to button things up because they were stinging my hands too much.   I even thought of reaching for the veil for the first time in a year. 
I am super slow and careful about my inspections and don't bang anything or squish the bees.    I noticed this sort of "unprovoked" attack behaviour last spring too.  All those grumpy old winter bees in the hive used to having their peace and quiet I guess.

As far as the hive goes, things are looking good.  Found 2 frames of capped brood and 2 frames wall to wall with eggs.   Not much in the way of in between larval stages, but I guess they could have been in the unexamined parts of the hive.   Not bad considering the snow came off 10 days ago. 

[LazyBkpr]

ouch...   Glad they are kicking it in gear, but I don't like aggressive bees.
   I have a hive at dads that seems like its getting aggressive. I wrote down the number, and when I can make queens they are going to get a new one.

[Jen]

Yea Pete, it's taken my bees 6 weeks to settle down from the spring crankies. I got into my first swarm hive today, and they were back to the sweet bees I had last summer, no gloves. I took pics and have some questions.

[Woody Roberts]

I've just come to expect mean bees in the early spring. That way I sometimes am pleasantly surprised.
All 9 hives I've checked this year has been very mild. They've got me worried!