Sighting and photos (c) penelope.
Field Notes - Disturbed this specimen whilst it was wandering around a plant.
Sighting and photos (c) jitterbug.
Field Notes - Jumping ant
Sighting and photos (c) the_goodies.
Additional comments? - I think they are carpenter ants. they are aggressive and their bite hurts!
This ant had colouring similar to M. negriscapa or M. desertorum, but was too small at about 18 to 20 mm and it was jumping around more like M. nigrocincta or M. pilosula.