Western North Carolina Shopping Western North Carolina High Country Shopping - Shops - Gift Shops - Retail Shops Shopping in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Blowing Rock & Boone NC Blue Ridge Parkway Wildflowers & Native Birds of the North Carolina Mountains The Blue Ridge Parkway is a wildflower lover's paradise, offering a wide variety of native plant species. Depending on your elevation, many species can be found blooming over a considerably long period of time. Photograph them, sketch them, or simply enjoy the view, but all of the Blue Ridge Parkway resources are protected by the U.S. National Park Service. The Blue Ridge Parkway has many scenic attractions. The Parkway offers a never-ending supply of interesting birds, from the American Bittern to the Whip-poor-will. The autumn hawk migration can be spectacular. Parkway birds include the Red Tailed Hawk, Carolina Chickadee, Carolina Wren, Tufted Titmouse, Pileated and Red-bellied Woodpecker, and the Cardinal. ©2008 Blue Ridge Vacations - Western North Carolina Vacations & Travel Guide. Shopping & Shops in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Blowing Rock & Boone NC.