While exploring near the Ouachita National Forest in Arkansas, I came across a tiny scene that made me stop. From above, the mound looked like a donut with sprinkles, with ants working around the small structure.
Ant Tower Mound Near the Ouachita National Forest
These tiny ants were on a country road in the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas. They were working around a small tower-shaped mound that stood about one inch tall.
I did not identify the ants to species, so I am keeping the description broad. What caught my attention was the shape of the mound and the steady movement around it.
The date was September 4, 2020, and I photographed the mound at 2:55 P.M. The roadside setting made the little structure stand out even more.
Ant mounds can vary by species, location, and available material. This one was unlike any small ant mound I had noticed before.
Photographing the Ant Mound From Above and the Side
I photographed the mound from above first. That angle showed the donut-like pattern that caught my eye.
Then I moved to the side view. That angle showed how the mound rose from the road surface.
I handheld the camera and lens for these photos. With a subject this small, I wanted to work carefully and keep the frame steady.
Gear used:
- Camera: Fujifilm X-T3
- Lens: Canon EF 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS II USM
- Lens Adapter: Fringer EF-FX Pro
Camera settings:
- Mode: Aperture Priority
- Aperture: f/8.0
- Shutter speed: 1/640 sec.
- ISO: 800
- Exposure compensation: +0.33
- Focal length: 400 mm
I often notice larger wildlife first, but small scenes can be just as interesting. This ant tower was a good reminder to slow down and look closer.
A one-inch mound on a country road may not seem like much at first glance. But through the camera, it became a small construction project full of movement and detail.