GARDEN SURROUNDINGS: Phenomenal Experiences in Nature

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By Francesca Filanc, for Let’s Talk Plants! October 2026.

Zinnias in bloom. Photo Credit: Francesca Filanc.

Phenomenal Experiences in Nature

Years ago, a close girlfriend told me of two phenomenal experiences she had had in nature. When we are watching and listening for it, we probably all get at least one of these experiences in our lifetime.

Years ago, a close friend of mine told me of two such experiences that she had. One time she was above Vail, Colorado. Peggy and her boyfriend at the time were at the Continental Divide in the Rocky Mountains.

As a child, there’s actually a photo of my parents trying to explain it to me. I didn’t understand what it meant. The Continental Divide in the United States runs along the crest of the Rocky Mountains, including through Colorado.

Pat Welsh, the author's mother, trying to explain the continental divide in Colorado. Photo provided by Francesca Filanc.

East side of the mountains the water flows toward the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico.

Westside of the mountains the water flows toward the Pacific Ocean.

I remember being so confused by this concept. I think I finally understand it now. So back to my story. Peggy and her boyfriend were taking a hike. Peggy stopped to do yoga poses, while her boyfriend dipped his feet in a stream. Peggy was in the warrior pose. 100 butterflies came and landed on her body from her eyelashes to her shoes. Her whole body was covered with butterflies. Talk about a spiritual experience.

On another occasion, Peggy was with friends in New Zealand. They were staying at a resort. Peggy went out to take a walk by herself one day and she sat down to meditate.

“I was entranced by the beauty of the area. I was up on a noel on rocks with this expansive view of fields below and the ocean beyond.

I was there for some time and first one large dove came and perched on my head. Then another dove came and sat on my left shoulder and then a third dove came and sat on my right shoulder. I did not want to disturb them so I sat motionless for some period of time. And you know what was amazing, Francie? The doves were the same colors as the butterflies a few years earlier. White with black specks.”

Andrew a young friend, imparted a story where he felt the experience saved his life. He was 18 years old at the time and playing a game with buddies where you stood really still and visualize certain colors. While he was doing this a butterfly came and perched on the tip of his nose.

“A week later I was in a horrific accident that wasn’t my fault. There was something wrong with the car. It turned over and I was able to crawl out unscathed. I have actually had butterflies land on me numerous times after that experience. I felt that somehow the experience of having the butterfly land on my nose one week earlier had somehow saved my life.”

A few weeks ago, I found my mother on the ground. She had fallen, but luckily was not injured. We now have full-time help for mama who is 97 ½ years old. That evening when I got home from mama’s I went out to fill up the fountain in front with water for the birds. I was struck to find 14 doves on the fountain. It was so amazing. They all flew away, but I will never forget the experience and I felt it meant that everything was gonna be ok with our mama.

Sunflowers just beginning to bloom. Photo Credit: Francesca Filanc.

And we have a wonderful gal taking care of her during the day; Margarita, and at night Gloria, who lives with Mama. My sister and I are over there all the time, but we don’t have to worry about her welfare anymore. We are so grateful the way it all worked out with Margarita and Gloria, both amazing ladies taking care of our wonderful mama.

Experiences with nature can come to us in dreams also. About a year and a half ago I dreamt that I was off the coast of Chile way out in the ocean, swimming with whales and dolphins. I wasn’t at all afraid and I feel that was a spiritual experience that came to me in the form of a dream. What a gift that dream was, and I’ll never forget the dream as long as I live and I think of it often and smile.

Marigolds and Pluchea in bloom. Photo Credit: Francesca Filanc.

Jorge, my amazing gardener, recently spread worm castings underneath the rose bushes and other plants that were being affected by pests and they are already looking much better.

Flowers blooming behind the pool. Photo Credit: Francesca Filanc.

The zinnias, marigolds, and other flowers are looking terrific behind the pool and the giant sunflowers that we replanted all from seed are just about to bloom.