Plotting scatter onto a background image?

I have my data plotting nicely in ipython into scatter coordinate space, using radius of points to imply values and adding additional text notation that really tells the story.

What I would like to do next is replace the graph background with a map image so my data is overlayed onto the reference Map which I can relate back to the cordonates used.

Not worried about zooming etc ( for now ) but is there a way to use a background image in the scatter plot graphs?

I have tried various searches go no avail.

Any comments to point me in the right direction?