WC# 181 Death Drum

This past weekend I observed a skimmer hovering over a pond in an unusual manner. The skimmer was pulsating up and down about 5-6 inches at great intensity. I took a few photos and was surprised that the behavior went on for over 15 minutes or more. When I got home and looked at the photos, I realized that the drama of the scene was that the skimmer was hovering over a downed companion. The hovering was so furious that a small wake was maintained around the downed skimmer. I think this was an attempt to help the downed skimmer move toward some twig or stick to lift itself out of it's doom.
Animals working in co-operation is common for mammals, but I was surprised to see this behavior in an insect.

The pond gives life to skimmers but also is treacherous if the skimmer gets too water-logged. The downed skimmer never recovered and became just more nutrients in the swampy goo.