Chill felt by big and small

The last week or so has been markedly cooler in the South Eastern states.
Antarctic air flows associated with strong low pressure systems have been lowering temps and producing wind gusts up to 125Km/h.
This has had effects ranging from the vast dust clouds experienced last week to the increase of snowfall in the Alps.
It has also had an effect on many creatures expecting the early warming of spring to continue.

I was working in the garden the other day, planting spring vegetables in an optimistic expectation of nature continuing its seasons in a somewhat normal fashion, when I observed these ants carrying larvae back underground.

Their nest had been disturbed by my pulling a few weeds.
Although rain is not expected, their larvae were positioned very close to the surface.
Perhaps this was to regulate their temperature.
With the last few weeks being cold, larvae positioned just under the surface would be afforded some warmth


The cold weather did not slow their activity, and a few bites were received for my trouble to get these shots.



These common black ants measure up at around 4mm in length.