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05 November 2012

Remembering the Deaths of Four Fallen Americans

A tragedy occurred early Sunday morning, November 4th, as a cohesive group of Americans made their way southward along the Missouri River valley. While moving from a safe ground-level shelter of plants to go eastward, some of them hit a large hazard and were killed, nearly instantly. Three were lying dead upon the ground a bit after 7 a.m., central standard time. Their lifeless carcasses were scattered along the west wall of place that created their final moments of a hurried existence. While investigating the scene to record details this morning, another member of the group hit and fell only two feet distant. Its life was extinguished in mere seconds, as personally and vividly experienced. It did not flutter or call out during its last moments, even as its existence ended in downtown Omaha. Nor did it ever move again.

Nearby, another comrade of the wild was also dead, due to the same, known hazard, which the visitors did not realize.

There were five casualties discovered early this morning. After the immediacy of the one death, and after getting details for the other instances spread around, a few minutes were spent at the scene to see if other fatalities might occur. There were none but, perhaps, the situation might be different upon a vist the next morning.

This tragedy occurred at the CenturyLink Center Omaha, along its west wall glass where so many have died. Each life ended quickly while they were moving along in their typical manner, unaware of the massive hazard. The threat was unseen and unknown since they were used to wild spaces where recognized predators such as raptors were well known.

Four American Tree Sparrows died together, along with a Song Sparrow.



This bird had been alive just moments before this picture was taken.



On Saturday, a Lincoln's Sparrow and a Little Brown Bat also died a needless death of tragic consequences at this building.

The tally of deaths or injured wild birds at this building, thus far this year, is now 155, the largest number of window strikes ever recorded at the place.

The carcasses of these birds were dealt with in a manner respectful to their character.