Photos

A collection of 65 posts

Bighorn

Lacey and Lizzie at Circle Ranch

Far-West Texas has always been full of characters. The art scene has made Marfa a magnet for film makers, fashionistas, art followers and the like.

Bio-Diversity

ORVIS Moment of Chill: Playing in the Yard

Young fox kits play around their den, just off the walkway near Orvis headquarters in Sunderland, Vermont. NOTE: this post was originally published to this site in February, 2022.

Yeomans Keyline

Keyline 101: Desert Grassland Restoration

This video was filmed in the Sierra Diablo Mountains, Hudspeth County, far-West Texas, for presentation at the Quivira Coalition Conference in Albuquerque, November 11, 2015.

"Invasion Biology"

Grazing to Promote Riparian Health on a Private Ranch in Nevada

This video features Agee Smith, Co-Owner, Cottonwood Ranch, Wells, Nevada

Conservation

Gulleys for Grassland Restoration #12: Chupacabra Dam

Another example of a small dam that spills water from an eroded gulley, to reduce road washing and to irrigate a few acres of grassland at Circle Ranch in the high-desert mountains of far-West Texas.   NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on October 2, 2017

Conservation

Gulleys for Grassland Restoration: #7 Best Equipment

When we divert rainstorm runoff from eroding gulleys to restore desertifying canyons and grasslands, what are the best equipment & practices? Our conclusions might surprise you.   NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on September 4th, 2017

Bio-Diversity

Gulleys for Grassland Restoration #3

Eroded galleys can be used to restore desertifying grasslands – alongside creosote bush –  without chemicals. Third in a series filmed at Circle Ranch in far-West Texas.   NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on July 24, 2017.

christmas

Merry Christmas from Pitchstone Waters

“A Merry Christmas to us all; God bless us, every one!”

Animal Growth

Elk and Calves

A mother elk, her yearling calf and this year’s twins, captured in one of our newly-opened ATV trails at Pitchstone Waters.

"Invasion Biology"

Urban Coyote: Myth or Fact?

Surprising facts about coyotes.

"Invasion Biology"

The Secret Lives of Well-Digging Burros

“Far-West Texas burros are eradicated by state and federal parks & land managers based on the belief that they “compete” with other wildlife for water. In reality – as this Arizona study explains – “it appears that burros are significantly increasing water availability in the desert.” Be sure and watch the video.

"Invasion Biology"

Texas Elk and the North American Wildlife Conservation Model

For 150-years American conservationists have followed the the North American Wildlife Conservation Model. It has been beneficial for waterfowl and iconic big game species across the continent with the exception of elk in far-West Texas. Here on state-managed lands Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) bighorn sheep managers kill all

Bio-Diversity

Devils River in far-West Texas

Incredible scenery and great fly fishing in the remote desert of West Texas.

Grasslands and Red Mountain

Summer and Winter at Circle Ranch. Note: This was originally posted May, 2010.

Africa

High Above, Drones Keep Watchful Eyes on Wildlife

We have found drones to be a useful management tool. However the simplicity of drones is greatly overestimated, especially the notion of flying them by video monitor at great distances from the operator.   NOTE: This article was originally published on NYTimes.com. Drones seemed like the perfect anti-poaching tools. But

Animal Development

Circle Ranch Game Camera Videos

Wildlife videos from our high-desert mountains, captured in the winter of 2015.

"Invasion Biology"

Rattlesnakes and Yucca Bucks

Great thoughts on mule deer and ‘paradigms’, by Steve Nelle. NOTE: the following article was originally published in Texas Wildlife Magazine, November 2015. The article was provided by the publisher directly and permission for it’s use in this post has been granted. Document (PDF) can be viewed here

"Invasion Biology"

Slideshow: Circle Ranch Wildlife, December 2016

There is not a federal or state park in far-West Texas where one can see free ranging elk, sheep, pronghorn and mule deer together. These animals and many others are found in abundance at Circle Ranch, because of our (1) water system, (2) periodic planned cattle grazing, (3) protection of

circle-ranch-about

Merry Christmas from Circle Ranch

“God bless us, every one!” Out Here in The Middle from Christopher Gill on Vimeo.

game cameras

Circle Ranch Game Cameras - Late Summer 2016

You are looking at the cheapest, fastest and most sustainable way to restore degraded desert grasslands: animal biodiversity. Why is this so? Because to be healthy, desert ranges need three things: (1) large, concentrated migratory bison herds or cattle grazed in a manner that mimics bison’s migratory patterns; (2)

"Invasion Biology"

U.S. - Mexico Teamwork Where the Rio Grande Is but a Ribbon

The destructive and wasteful application of invasive species biology as promoted by The New York Times. Invasive species biology is based on the assumption that anything done by an “invasive” is by definition bad. According to the invasive species folks, cane is a sneaky invader that has driven out native

"Invasion Biology"

Thanksgiving at Circle Ranch

Our best wishes go to you and yours this holiday season. Circle Ranch Thanksgiving – 2016 from Christopher Gill on Vimeo.

"Invasion Biology"

Circle Ranch Game Cameras - August 2016

The reason biodiversity is good not bad is because species are usually complimentary, not “competitive.” To be healthy, desert ranges need three things: (1) Large, concentrated migratory bison herds, or, cattle grazed to mimic bison’s migratory patterns; (2) a lot of predators of all sizes; and, (3) a high,

"Invasion Biology"

Circle Ranch Game Cameras - July 2016

To be healthy, desert ranges need three things: (1) Large, concentrated migratory bison herds, or, cattle grazed to mimic bison’s migratory patterns; (2) a lot of predators of all sizes; and, (3) a high, diverse population of prey species. Remove any of these and the systems collapse. Most wildlife

"Invasion Biology"

Early Summer 2016 - Game Cameras

Healthy ranges need: (1) Big nomadic grazers (bison or cows under planned grazing), (2) abundant predators and (3) lots of prey numbers and kinds. Take any one of these out and the system collapses.  The systems’ need for biodiversity is a physiological fact, not a social concept.   For 10-years in