Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Flattery (and a Powerful Way to Learn)

Jan 22

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Or maybe they’re doing the hokey-pokey:

You put your left foot in,
You put your left foot out…

© Babsje (https://babsjeheron.wordpress.com)

Cygnets learning how to paddle with just one foot by imitating their parent swan.

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Thanks to Wordless Wednesday for the Wordless Wednesday challenge.

Thanks to Josh R and WordPress for the Weekly Photo Challenge: Family. (The whole family of swans was lined up on the lake that day, parents flanking their seven cygnets. All seven cygnets were imitating the lead parent, with one foot out of the water at the same time. Remarkable demonstration of learning by imitating!)

Thanks once again to Stewart Monckton for the Wild Bird Wednesday prompt.

Thanks once again to Cee for her Fun Foto Challenge: Found in Nature prompt.

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A selection of my heron and flower photos is now available at the Five Crows Gallery in Natick, MA. Drop in and see the work of the many wonderfully creative artists who show there when you’re in the area.

Five Crows is on FaceBook. To give the gallery a visit, please click here.

Remember: Walk softly and carry a long lens.™

The Tao of Feathers™

© 2014 Babsje. (https://babsjeheron.wordpress.com)

Swan, Cygnet

Posted on January 22, 2014, in Art, Birds, Cee's Fun Foto Challenge, Nature, Parenting, Photography, postaday, Weekly Photo Challenge, Wild Bird Wednesday, Wildlife Photography, Wordless Wednesday and tagged . Bookmark the permalink. 18 Comments.

  1. Cee Neuner | January 22, 2014 at 2:24 pm

    Imitation is flattery. Thanks so much for playing along. See you next week!

    Reply
  2. Eileen | January 22, 2014 at 2:59 pm

    What a great capture, they are fast learners.

    Reply
  3. Phil Lanoue | January 22, 2014 at 4:53 pm

    Adorable shot of mom and her babies!

    Reply
    • babsje | January 22, 2014 at 7:51 pm

      Thanks, Phil! I lived on their lake for a few years, those swans OWNED that lake. They chased off a couple of paddle-boaters who got too close to the nest one afternoon. You could hear one of the women shrieking across the lake! Too funny.

      Reply
  4. Kristine | January 23, 2014 at 1:27 am

    Nice shot!

    Happy Wordless Wednesday! My entry is here

    Reply
  5. elleturner4 | January 23, 2014 at 3:14 am

    If I know swans at all, it’s definitely the Hokey Cokey!! 😉

    Reply
  6. benswaterytravels | January 23, 2014 at 10:30 am

    I’d love to know why they do that…like a sort of natural footrest!

    Reply
    • babsje | January 23, 2014 at 12:00 pm

      Good question, Ben! I’m ot sure why, myself, though it does give them a chance to strengthen each leg one at a time. Sometimes they stand on just one leg, so it cous be an adaptive behavior. Thanks for visiting and commenting here.

      Reply
  7. Gunta | January 23, 2014 at 7:12 pm

    This is just too darned cute!

    Reply
    • babsje | January 23, 2014 at 7:15 pm

      Glad you like it! I had noticed that adult swan swimming with one foot out of the water a lot, and was amazed when I realized the cygnets were playing “monkey see, monkey do.”

      Reply
  8. Stewart M | January 24, 2014 at 2:44 am

    Must be like learning to paddle a canoe without having to keep swapping the paddle from side to side!

    Cheers – Stewart M – Melbourne

    Reply
  9. wallacejones | January 24, 2014 at 3:10 pm

    Just like kids of all species – copying the adults! Great post!

    Reply

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