This is a Common, or Clouded Sulfur Butterfly. These "honorary birds" become more common in late summer.
These are Red-spotted Purple Butterflies. Their wings have a deep iridescent blue color on the inside but are black with orange and white markings on the outside.
Another colorful insect is the Damsel Fly. They are usually bluish, but can be found in other colors, always a pastel shade.
This is a female Cabbage White Butterfly. The sexes can be distinguished by the spots on their wings.
We have seen fewer Monarch Butterflies this year than in past years. Whether this is due to the cool summer, a downturn in the milkweeds on which they depend, or other causes, we can't say.
