Budding naturalists got up-close and personal with the creatures of the waters around Bainbridge at the IslandWood Community Critter Drive Saturday, Feb. 15 at Fort Ward Beach Park.

Divers from Exotic Aquatics Scuba & Kayaking brought the critters to the plastic wading pools on the beach where IslandWood educators and members of the Bainbridge Island Beach Naturalists (part of Sustainable Bainbridge) could help identify them with the children. The naturalists demonstrated safe and respectful ways to handle the wildlife, which were all returned to the wild unharmed.