Incredible photos: majestic swan family of nine at sunrise; "Born To Explore" producer and host participates in a swan rescue

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As the sun rises through the mist, a pair of swans and their seven cygnets glide majestically along in a scene that evokes the end of the hottest summer on record.
The stunning photograph was taken by James MacDonald on his smartphone when he spotted the birds’ stately, single file procession during a morning run in Bushy Park, south-west London.

Mr MacDonald, 40, a mapmaker for DK Travel guides who lives near the park, said: ‘They were on the move along an inlet from a small pond to a larger lake. I’d seen swans with their young in the park earlier in the year, when the parents are still very protective and won’t let you get near, so it was nice to be able to get close enough to take a picture of these now they are bigger.’

Richard Martin-Barton, of forecasters MeteoGroup, said: ‘It will feel a little bit Mediterranean, thanks to slightly warmer air moving in from Northern Spain. But it’s going to be a case of enjoy it while you can if you live in south-east England because – by the middle of next week – they will see the cooler, wetter conditions the rest of the country will be having.’

Emmy-winning 'Born To Explore' shares passion for adventure
Richard Wiese travels to Windsor, England to participate in a swan rescue for an episode of the Westport-produced travel program, "Born To Explore." The program, which airs Saturdays on ABC, recently took home an Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Single Camera Photography.

Produced in a cozy office above Bobby Q's Bodacious BBQ & Grill in Westport, the 30-minute show follows Wiese to unpublicized corners of the globe, where he seeks out unique people, exotic fauna and adjective-defying wonders of the natural world.

The mission of "Born to Explore," he said, is "to inspire young people and spark their interest for discovery and the love of outdoors."

That can be an elusive goal in an age of apathy-inducing technology. But if the ratings for "Born to Explore" are any indication, Wiese and the team at his production company, Explorer Films, are getting through to viewers: the show is consistently rated in top spot of its Saturday morning time slot. In addition, it has taken home a string of awards, including a recent Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Achievement in Single-Camera Photography.

Explorer Films has reached these accomplishments while reamining a mom-and-pop operation. The staff is comprised of local residents who also happen to be friends. Wiese described the office as a "family setting," where employees watch each other's kids when their co-workers are busy. "To work on a wonderful show, with people who are good friends, and to have total editorial freedom, it's just terrific," said Velgot, who is also Wiese's neighbor and has known him for nearly two decades.

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Image courtesy Daily Mail / James MacDonald and Connecticut Post