Videos

A collection of videos we've shot ourselves and collected over the years.

Bio-Diversity

Gulleys for Desert Grassland Restoration #2

Using a gulley to create a riparian meadow in the desert.   NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on May 31, 2017      To see another example of this practice, click here.

Animal Development

Allan Savory: Planned Cattle Grazing Where the Rubber Hits the Road

In this 45-minute video, the Dean of holistic range science – Allan Savory – discusses on-the-ground application of holistic planned grazing. West Texas and New Mexico ranchers will find many helpful insights, observations and suggestions in this wide-ranging discussion of range and wildlife practices.   NOTE: this post was originally published to this

Bio-Diversity

Rangeland Restoration: Subsoil Contour Plowing at Circle Ranch, in far-West Texas

Subsoil contour plowing is an excellent way to increase water absorption in the desert grasslands of far-West Texas and Southern New Mexico. The effectiveness of the practice is shown in these before-and-after comparisons.   NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on October 9, 2017.

Conservation

Chihuahuas and Keyline

“Chichuahuas and Keyline” explains Chocolate the Keyline Dog’s take on contour subsoil plowing.   NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on September 13, 2017.

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 #9: Harvesting Water in Steep Canyons

Restoring the Southwest’s desert grasslands takes water. Most ranches treat eroding gulleys and roads – and their stormwater runoffs – as liabilities. In fact these are potential water assets on every ranch. This little diversion dam harvests water from a steep desert canyon and returns it to water-starved meadows, restoring upstream

"Invasion Biology"

Gulleys for Grassland Restoration #5: Upper Pennel Canyon at Circle Ranch

Using a mountain gulley for erosion control and desert grassland restoration at Circle Ranch in far-West Texas.   NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on August 14, 2017.        This little dam took 45-minutes to build.

Bio-Diversity

Using an Eroded Gulley to Recreate a Wet Meadow

This video, #8, is a companion piece to #3 in the series. It shows how Fred’s Dam works during a rain, how the redirected water has created a seasonal wet meadow, what is happening to the water as it exits the wet meadow, and how that water might be

Bio-Diversity

Gulleys for Grassland Restoration #4: Los Cuates Canyon at Circle Ranch

Gulleys for Grassland Restoration #4: Los Cuates Canyon discusses specific gulley problems and treatments in a mountain canyon at Circle Ranch in far-West Texas. It is one of a series that demonstrates how to remedy eroded roadbeds and gulleys: returning water to grasslands and plants, using natural rainfall to irrigate

"Invasion Biology"

Drought Busters 101

“Drought Busters” is an inexpensive, quick, physiologically and economically sustainable method of habitat and wildlife restoration. We call it Drought Busters because it increases effective rainfall by rebuilding soil fertility and the soil’s ability to absorb and store water. This video explains Drought Busters, and our experience on how

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.

Conservation

Migrating Elk at Pitchstone Waters Ranch

This video discusses the annual elk migration across Pitchstone Waters Ranch, on the upper Fall River, 5-miles southwest of Yellowstone Park, in Fremont County Idaho.

Bio-Diversity

Hailing From the Primordial Realm, Meet Mother Nature: Goddess of Earth’s Ecosystems

Don’t miss this hilarious little video from Whole Foods.   As they put it, “With over 50 (million) years of experience, Mother Nature’s job is to maintain the harmony that keeps the planet spinning. Things like keeping the air clean, the ground fertile, the ecology diverse, and the inhabitants

Beaver

Life on a Beaver Dam

Produced by Dave Ruane, who says: “Beaver dams are amazing. They create a diverse and changing habitat for lots of wildlife and a convenient “bridge” too! On this dam I had over 100-clips of raccoons using the dam as a travel corridor!”   Life on a Beaver Dam from Dave Ruane

"Invasion Biology"

Game Videos Spring 2015

These videos were taken at what we call Sheep Tank, a water point that overlooks one of our largest canyons. Many species share this water, with no visible conflict with each other, or harm to habitat.

Fish Crossing

Fish Crossing - Sweetwater Texas (?!)

Someone is pulling our leg about the location.   You have to love his comment however: “Now we know something besides chickens and crawdads cross the road to get to the other side.” <

2020

Happy July 4, 2020 from Pitchstone Waters Ranch

July 4, 2020 at Pitchstone Waters Ranch in Idaho. July 4th Fishing Picnic at Pitchstone Waters from Christopher Gill on Vimeo.

Bighorn

Bighorn Sheep

The bighorn sheep is named for its massive, spiral horns, which in the male can reach lengths of over a metre and weigh up to 14 kilograms, equalling the weight of the entire skeleton. The coat of this species is hairy rather than woolly, and coloured glossy brown in the

our-ranch

Happy New Year From Circle Ranch

2015 was the year of the big blizzard. New Year 2015 from Christopher Gill on Vimeo.

Videos

Chupacabra Nesting Area National Wildlife Refuge

San Antonio artist Gary Sweeney’s take on the legendary creature of Northern Mexico. Chupacabra Nesting Area National Wildlife Refuge from Christopher Gill on Vimeo. More about artist Gary Sweeney Gary Sweeney’s Nostalgia, Texas from Walley Films on Vimeo.

Bighorn

Lacey and Lizzie at Circle Ranch

The art scene has made Marfa a magnet for film makers, fashionistas, artists and art followers. Their addition to the ranchers, hunters, mexicanos and eccentrics makes far-West Texas even more interesting. Lacey and Lizzie at Circle Ranch from Christopher Gill on Vimeo.

Bighorn

Circle Ranch High Country

Pronghorn, Desert Bighorn Sheep and Golden Eagles in the high-desert mountains of far-West Texas.   Circle Ranch High Country from Christopher Gill on Vimeo.     This video was shot, edited and scored by Jared and Tawny Zachary. They maintain our game cameras and guide. Jerad’s day job finds him in the

Conservation

Happy New Year from Texas State Photographer Wyman Meinzer

Last year’s greeting from Texas State Photographer Wyman Meinzer Warmest Wishes in 2016 from Wyman Meinzer on Vimeo.

circle-ranch-about

Merry Christmas from Circle Ranch

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