Whitetail Dragonfly

This is a Common Whitetail Dragonfly, and it is a male.  The females don't have the white abdomens - theirs are brown.  Also the females have different bands on their wings.

The dusty white or frosted coloration reflects heat away from the body, and may act as a threat to other males.

This dragonfly is also called a Long-Tailed Skimmer.  Sadly, this fellow must not have skimmed quite fast enough, because you can see a big chunk of  his left, rear wing has been taken out by somebody.  They are preyed upon by fish, frogs, birds, turtles, bats, spiders, and even some wasps.