Aroc, gentle spring time bees can turn defensive during a dearth and especially become more defensive when the hive is full of honey.
In late summer and Fall, I always wear a bee suit just as precaution. I do notice a difference in behavior of my bees in the Spring verses late summer and Fall. Bees are naturally more defensive when hives are full of honey.
Just a note, I do have hives that are incredibly gentle. Even in Fall when I open a hive, most of my bees remain on the comb as inspecting in process, they do not fly, they are not nervous, rather they remain calm. Some of my hives, a few, will act nervous when inspected. They will be requeened in the Spring. One of my desired traits is bees that remain calm on comb when I am inspecting. One of several criteria when I am selecting for a production queen.
In case you are wondering, I do not sell queens, I give them away. The locals, folks within a hundred miles take all the queens that I can raise. I TRY to raise calm, varroa resistant, honey producers.
Blessings