Odd Beehavior - Shakedown at hive entrance?

[Hethen57]

Anyone know what are the bees doing when they frantically tongue and appear to be cleaning another bee on the front porch?  It is the oddest behavior...the first time I saw it, I thought the bee was biting an intruder, but since the bee just stood there an took it, I figured it must not be a hostile action.  The bee doing the action really gets frantic as she works her way around the other bee, and the one getting cleaned or whatever, just stands there.

Sorry, I still haven't got over the habit of sitting in front of the hives for a few minutes and watching the bees come and go.....pretty much everyday.  :roll:

Also, they are still bringing in lots of pollen....does that mean they are still making honey...or does pollen collection happen even when there is no nectar?
-Mike

[John Schwartz]

Possibly a forager handing off new-found nectar to other foragers would appear like what you're saying. :)