In the past couple of days, I’ve become aware all over again that we are lucky to have a lot of talented folks in our part of the world. I received a copy of a new book about Hawk Ridge by Duluth’s Laura Erickson, illustrated with the paintings of birds of prey by Betsy Bowen of Grand Marais. The book, “Hawk Ridge — Minnesota’s Birds of Prey” — is the first book I know of about Hawk Ridge. It’s published by the University of Minnesota Press.

Today, I received my July-August issue of the Minnesota Conservation Volunteer magazine. My colleague John Myers at the News Tribune has the lead story in that issue about copper mining in Minnesota, and Duluth’s Mark “Sparky” Stensaas has an excellent story about the wildlife of Park Point with several of his own photos. The magazine is distributed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

Mike Link and Kate Crowley’s book, ” Going Full Circle,” is also just out, published by Lake Superior Port Cities, Inc.  The book is an account of the couple’s 1,555-mile walk around the shoreline of Lake Superior upon Link’s retirement. Link and Crowley live in Willow River.

Each week, I get the latest photographic images from Grand Marais photographer Paul Sundberg through his “Photos of the Week” mailing. Sundberg was for many years manager of Gooseberry Falls State Park, and his retirement has given him more time to travel and do photography. Check it out at www.paulsundbergphotography.com.

Those are just the latest examples of the good work being done by local writers, photographers and artists. We’re lucky to be in their midst.