Syrah Arena, left, and Don Leuchs paddle in the Little River estuary in the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve. The reserve offers guided kayak trips in the estuary one to two times a week. Arena came from Massachusetts specifically for the kayaking outing. Leuchs is a volunteer guide who assists with the kayak trips.

Nancy Tuttle of Wells and other paddlers drift along the Little River.

A plover makes its way along the muddy bank of the Merriland River in Wells near the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve .

Tuttle of Wells drifts along the Merriland River underneath towering Japanese Knotweed.

Sue Bickford of Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve leads a kayaking trip in the Little River estuary. Bickford is a geographic information systems specialist and a natural resource specialist at the reserve.

Leuchs helps Karen Crum of Kennebunk launch a kayak into the Little River estuary .

Nancy Tuttle of Wells, right, and Pam Parrott paddle through the research reserve. Parrott is a volunteer who assists kayakers on the trips.

A duck makes its way up the Merriland River where guided kayak trips are offered a couple times a week.

Nancy Geyerhahn, left, and Karen Crum check out the sights along the Little River.