I did not see any Water Striders on the main part of the river. It was not until I came across some slack water in the outside part of a wide bend that turned back on itself did I see these insects. In this little patch of calmer water there were two groups. The larger group was further out from the bank, it was also more active, with the members constantly moving against the gentle flow of the river in this slower-moving water The other group, last photo, was much smaller and very close to the river bank. Even my approach barely made them move. I wondered if this group was exhausted from trying to compete with the river’s flow so were unable to move very far.