Survival in the wild is challenging even when you are able-bodied. The difficulties are multiplied when you have a major deformity, like this Gray Petaltail dragonfly (Tachopteryx thoreyi) that I spotted on Friday at Occoquan Regional Park.
I not sure what caused the sharp bend in the abdominal region of this dragonfly, but I observed that it was able to fly and to perch. Perhaps it is able to capture prey, but mating seems out of the question. I admire that the fact that it appears to be fighting for its survival.
For the sake of contrast, I am including a photo of another Gray Petaltail dragonfly that I observed the same day at the park.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Impressive. How many people would notice that was not a normal posture?
Thanks, Ted. In order for folks to spot a member of this dragonfly species, they would have to be wandering around in an area near a seep. Most people are turned off by mucky areas with ferns and skunk cabbage, although photographers like us are attracted to such places. Would a normal person note the unusual posture? They probably wouldn’t, because they would not be scouring the trees looking for these dragonflies.
I’ve never seen anything like that. Perhaps an encounter with a bird?
Abdominal colors are so different! Is one dying or just aged and fading like me?
I think that aging may be a factor. Gender also makes a difference too, with the female sometimes duller in color than the male, though I honestly can’t tell the gender of the one with the bend.