1. Location of observation: Zilker Park, Austin, TX.
2. Date of observation: July 15, 2016
3. Habitat of observation: in the grass of Zilker Park. There is a distinct trail in the grass that I've noticed every time I walk that section of the park and thought for sure it was ant related. Today I got close and noticed some activity and took photos.
4. Length: Largest were about 1 cm and smallest were about 3-4 mm.
5. Coloration, hue, pattern and texture: the majors are a matte, maroon/brown color with spines and bulbous heads and distinct long, shiny mandibles and the smallest workers are shiny with more of an orange hue without any noticeable spines. I didn't collect any for close observation as I was drenched in sweat post run.
6. Distinguishing characteristics: see above and photos
7. Anything else distinctive: Nothing per se. I've often wondered at the trail but never noticed any ants until I got real close today. There were only a couple ants near the nest opening and a couple hovering just inside the entrance. I think I dripped a little sweat right onto the hole trying to observe and photograph and that brought a few more out 
.
8. Nest description: solitary hole in the ground with a single trail through the grass extending from the hole toward the nearby tree.
Browsing the web for a match I want to say that this is Atta texana:
Edited by Bryansant, July 15 2016 - 11:15 PM.
They also tend to build distinctive mounds, although the flooding may have destroyed some of those.
