The squirrels and songbirds of Chevy Chase don’t live a completely carefree life. Yes, lots of residents maintain feeders that nurture the cardinals, jays and woodpeckers of the area. And, yes, the squirrels, even when they can’t manage to get at the feeders directly, stay fat and happy by feeding on the crumbs the birds drop to the grass. But there are occasional predators. This Cooper’s hawk was photographed atop a feeder on East Melrose Street in Chevy Chase Village. While it perched, nary a songbird nor a squirrel could be seen.

Photo © Bob Cullen