Arrived we have at one of the great Mecca’s of American birding. Alas, we are more than a month late. The Kirtland’s warblers have already completed their breeding and are preparing to depart to Eluthera and Abaco Islands in the Bahamas. The males have stopped singing from perches in young jack pines, and the federal wildlife service has ended its tours that provide a chance to glimpse them. The bird’s unique habitat, many acre patches of five to fifteen foot tall jack pines, are created by federal and state agencies through regular clear cutting and planting of the pines. Prior to civilization natural fires provided plenty of these patches. Now most of the northern lower peninsula is in hardwood forest or farmland. The birds follow the provided habitat as it moves within state and national forests lands. We have been told where the warbler nested this year, and we will be seeking them along a forest road at dawn tomorrow. The plots are still closed to the public, but we are unlikely to spot any birds. None-the-less, we feel obliged to make the effort. Some year we will make a pilgrimage here in late May or June to see one of the rarest birds of North America. Crossed the Mackinaw bridge this morning before the winds began to whistle. Good thing. The speed limit for motor homes was 20, but we did not start to shake until several hours later just before arriving here. The anticyclone is still shaking the trees, and we may need a little heat in the morning. The failure of our house air conditioner is no longer a problem. At least not until we move south and east some more. We have departed the Upper Peninsula and left a campsite for someone in Paradise where the blueberry festival is to be held this weekend. Such events can create a problem for us gypsy campers. Generally we avoid moving on Friday or Saturday. Usually no problem finding a site on Sunday. Our move today led us to a less popular camping area, but even so, there were only three sites available when we arrived in mid-afternoon. Out our window is a scarlet oak, the first oak we have noticed in a long time. Another sign of the East. So easy not to appreciate the treasures of one’s home region until you are away.