Created 25-Aug-18
Out with the birders, but paying attention:
On the way in, I lie down to watch some harvester ants (now Veromessor andrei) go about their daily business, collecting seeds. I notice a pair of larger ants, two different species I think, locked in mortal combat. The smaller of the two had lost some legs, but had the "upper hand" (jaw?) -- she had both antennae of the larger ant firmly in her grip. The larger ant would wait, then struggle, then wait. Lots of stationary waiting, an occasional shift of position or grip. After watching this slow-motion combat for a while, I continued on...
... and saw familiar scenes and plants unknown to me. Birds in flocks or individually -- including a large flock of band-tailed pigeons gathered on a coffeeberry bush, and two different kites wheeling and holding position, stationary in the moving air.
When I finally passed the ant nest again, I again paused to watch the harvester ants. Once down and watching -- oh, over there! -- I did notice the two larger ants, still locked in combat. A few more photos, slightly different positions, but the same basic story: the upper ant had both antennae firmly in her mandibles. Then, suddenly, a brief violent tussle: the lower ant was free! (But she had lost a piece of her antenna.) The other ant made a quick exit, chased away. Then they both wandered off.
What was the point of this combat? It didn't appear that either ant was defending territory or a nest. There was plenty of space there in the grassland next to the nest of the other ants. So what could have been gained by the combat? (BTW, the other ants went peacefully about their business throughout this whole episode, passing nearby but not pausing or seeming to especially notice the combatants. One even touched them inadvertently while wrestling with her burden.)
I have noticed that larger predators will often give each other a wide berth. Why risk injury, even if you could probably ultimately prevail? Better to mind your own business...
On the way in, I lie down to watch some harvester ants (now Veromessor andrei) go about their daily business, collecting seeds. I notice a pair of larger ants, two different species I think, locked in mortal combat. The smaller of the two had lost some legs, but had the "upper hand" (jaw?) -- she had both antennae of the larger ant firmly in her grip. The larger ant would wait, then struggle, then wait. Lots of stationary waiting, an occasional shift of position or grip. After watching this slow-motion combat for a while, I continued on...
... and saw familiar scenes and plants unknown to me. Birds in flocks or individually -- including a large flock of band-tailed pigeons gathered on a coffeeberry bush, and two different kites wheeling and holding position, stationary in the moving air.
When I finally passed the ant nest again, I again paused to watch the harvester ants. Once down and watching -- oh, over there! -- I did notice the two larger ants, still locked in combat. A few more photos, slightly different positions, but the same basic story: the upper ant had both antennae firmly in her mandibles. Then, suddenly, a brief violent tussle: the lower ant was free! (But she had lost a piece of her antenna.) The other ant made a quick exit, chased away. Then they both wandered off.
What was the point of this combat? It didn't appear that either ant was defending territory or a nest. There was plenty of space there in the grassland next to the nest of the other ants. So what could have been gained by the combat? (BTW, the other ants went peacefully about their business throughout this whole episode, passing nearby but not pausing or seeming to especially notice the combatants. One even touched them inadvertently while wrestling with her burden.)
I have noticed that larger predators will often give each other a wide berth. Why risk injury, even if you could probably ultimately prevail? Better to mind your own business...
Landscapes, Oaks, and Smaller Plants
Visitors 34
16 photos
Created 22-Dec-23
Modified 22-Dec-23
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Visitors 46
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Dan Quinn