leading indicators for morels?

[d scalzo]

Here in Seattle, I watch the cottonwood in the backyard.  When it 
starts to drop its catkins(?), I start hunting in the Cascades.  When it 
is dropping white fluff, I know the season is well on its way.  The 
altitude difference is about 2000 ft.
	I once heard a phrase to describe this sort of observation 
(proximal changes as icons for distal changes), but I can't call it up 
now.