Feeling Antsy?
p.1 #1Feeling Antsy?
99% of the people walking along the path within two feet of this ant nest do not even notice it. Their dogs do not even sniff it. I did not notice what it was until I could see slight movement of the ants. It was a cold day so they were not very active.
My first thought when I saw those thousands or more ants crowded together was, how amazing they get along with each other in such close proximity to each other, when humans with their much larger brains can't do the same even when separated from each other by greater distances.
Western Thatching Ants can have mounds as high as six feet and contain as many as 40,000 ants.
https://youtu.be/pJMYPpphzQo?si=T_vvn_XA1RmZsrkf
My first thought when I saw those thousands or more ants crowded together was, how amazing they get along with each other in such close proximity to each other, when humans with their much larger brains can't do the same even when separated from each other by greater distances.
Western Thatching Ants can have mounds as high as six feet and contain as many as 40,000 ants.
https://youtu.be/pJMYPpphzQo?si=T_vvn_XA1RmZsrkf
Feb 15, 2026 at 04:32 PM
p.1 #2Feeling Antsy?
These interesting photos are well-composed and precisely focused. A myrmecologist's dream. Do they say "excuse me, coming by" frequently?
tom
Feb 16, 2026 at 02:08 AM
p.1 #3Feeling Antsy?
grebe wrote:
These interesting photos are well-composed and precisely focused. A myrmecologist's dream. Do they say "excuse me, coming by" frequently?
tom
Thanks Tom. It is fascinating that they have survived for who knows how long living in communal homes in such vast numbers.
Tony
These interesting photos are well-composed and precisely focused. A myrmecologist's dream. Do they say "excuse me, coming by" frequently?
tom
Thanks Tom. It is fascinating that they have survived for who knows how long living in communal homes in such vast numbers.
Tony
Mar 08, 2026 at 08:25 PM
p.1 #4Feeling Antsy?
Nice images, Tony.
At first I thought they were drone shots of downtown Austin!
Just like bees, it's amazing how they have been programmed to cooperate to do what needs to be done -- no inflated egos. We could learn a thing or two.
It also makes me wonder if ants fart -- apparently not, or a fight would surely break out!
Greg
At first I thought they were drone shots of downtown Austin!
Just like bees, it's amazing how they have been programmed to cooperate to do what needs to be done -- no inflated egos. We could learn a thing or two.
It also makes me wonder if ants fart -- apparently not, or a fight would surely break out!
Greg
Mar 08, 2026 at 08:30 PM
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p.1 #5Feeling Antsy?
Okay, this will give me nightmares 
. Seriously , very interesting set .
Birdie
. Seriously , very interesting set .Birdie
Mar 08, 2026 at 09:17 PM
p.1 #6Feeling Antsy?
birdied wrote:
Okay, this will give me nightmares. Seriously , very interesting set .
Birdie
I had to laugh at your comment, Birdie. It reminded me of the movie, "Them". Probably not many here are old enough to remember that Sci-Fi flick from the '50's. I was 7 when that was released, and most of us kids were convinced that the budding nuclear age was going to produce a world filled with giant creepy things.
Greg
Okay, this will give me nightmares
. Seriously , very interesting set .Birdie
I had to laugh at your comment, Birdie. It reminded me of the movie, "Them". Probably not many here are old enough to remember that Sci-Fi flick from the '50's. I was 7 when that was released, and most of us kids were convinced that the budding nuclear age was going to produce a world filled with giant creepy things.
Greg
Mar 09, 2026 at 08:43 AM
