Orientation flight "cloud" today

I've only had bees for three months. In that time, I've got totally hooked. Today I got to see a huge orientation flight "cloud" outside one of my hives (5:30 pm or so). I'm going to estimate a thousand (probably more) bees in a 6 ft or so cloud outside my second hive for 10 minutes or more. I got a bit worried about robbing or a swarm committee meeting, but based on what I've read and videos I've watched since, I'm pretty sure it was orientation flights. It was awesome!