Busy little creatures

Ants are amazing creatures. There are millions in the garden and I like to observe their activities when taking a rest.

They are busy creatures and very helpful. Always running around, climbing up trees and plants, they are looking for something to take home. They eat the tiny animals in the leaves of the plants and trees. When many ants are up a tree, you can be sure it is having unwanted visitors.

When watering the sunflowers, I noticed that ants are good swimmers. They are not afraid of water and from time to time one goes into the fresh water to drink from it.

I often spot one “hanging” on the bottom of a leave. I guess they are watch outs. As soon as something useful is spotted, the whole colony comes into action to form a line and carry the loot home.

There are many different colonies in the garden and I wonder whether every colony has its own territory. I also wonder whether battles take place to defend the territory or to extend it.
Haven’t seen anything that looks like a battle.

How do they choose their spot to live? And when is a new colony formed? Why? Who is the brains of the colony? Do they have a queen, like bees do? Where and how do they store the goods?

I will keep observing them and ask around to find someone knowledgeable about the subject.