Carpenter ants all over

[JJ3500]

Are these carpenter ants commonly roaming around most or all trees? I just noticed that the handful of mature trees in my yard that are clustered together have these ants on the bark. Were they always there and I just haven't noticed or are they slowly taking over these trees?

Thanks

Some of them are of red and red/black in color too. Not just black solely.

 

[A. Stanton]

My understanding of these bastards is that when a colony becomes too large, some members branch off and try to start their own.