Matplotlib: shaded regions
Use the fill function to make shaded regions of any color tint. Here is an example.
from pylab import *
x = arange(10)
y = x
# Plot junk and then a filled region
plot(x, y)
# Make a blue box that is somewhat see-through
# and has a red border.
# WARNING: alpha doesn't work in postscript output....
fill([3,4,4,3], [2,2,4,4], 'b', alpha=0.2, edgecolor='r')
[<matplotlib.patches.Polygon at 0x7f7a19aac890>]