Riddle rounds

Today, the bees were behaving bizzarly. The larger bee began tossing out what appeared to be small chunks of either pollen or wax from one of the bamboo canes. One small round lump after another was jettisoned from the entrance of the cane. Then entering another cane - the bee placed its mouth/tongue onto the inside and began to grind backwards and forwards like a miniature hoover. The bee moved back to the first bamboo cane and a larger circular blob landed heavily onto the path. It was the exact size of the open round of the empty bamboo. I retrieved it and it was full of a heavy orange substance. I dipped my finger into it and it appeared and smelt like beeswax. See the picture above, middle item next to the penny. What are these bees doing? post extra: day 19 after St Swithin's - today has been pleasant and sunny with a soft breeze.